Dempsey Propels Crimson Offense

Down one goal at the end of the first period on Saturday, the Harvard women’s ice hockey team found itself in an early hole against Princeton. It was familiar territory for the Crimson, as the squad found itself in a similar position against Quinnipiac the previous night.

But when Harvard needed it most against ECAC rivals, Jill Dempsey proved to be the spark to the offensive engine.

In the second period against the Tigers, Dempsey came charging out of the gates with three consecutive goals and went on to notch a total of four goals in the frame. And the Crimson never looked back, scoring ten unanswered goals to take the game, 10-1. Dempsey ended the day with five scores three-star recognition.

The Winthrop, Mass. native leads the team in goals, points and points per game. She demonstrated that skill as she scored at a frenetic pace this weekend, netting two goals against the Bobcats and five goals against Princeton.

Dempsey’s five goals on Saturday against the Tigers helped the Harvard tie an NCAA record for goals in a period with seven in the second frame, and Dempsey came within one goal of tying the NCAA record for individual goals in a game. This offensive performance has raised Dempsey’s goal total for the year to 21.

For Dempsey, this weekend was test of the Crimson’s mental and physical toughness.

“After a tough loss on Tuesday night [against BU], we came in fired up and ready to go against Quinnipiac,” Dempsey said. “We came into the game knowing it was tight in the standings and we needed to bounce back.”

And with their backs against the wall, Dempsey and her team knew they had a tough task ahead of them.

“With a [2-1] deficit going into the third period, we decided to dig down deep,” Dempsey said. “We decided what we needed to do and what kind of team we were going to be.”

And behind Dempsey two goals, Harvard rallied late and up-ended the Bobcats, 4-2, for the come-from-behind victory.

Saturday’s game against Princeton also started with an early Crimson deficit.

“We came ready to go, but fell behind, 1-0, going into the second period,” Dempsey said. “But then, … momentum changed so quickly, and we were able to capitalize on our opponent’s mistakes.”

Dempsey’s five-goal haul inspired an offensive explosion, as the team continued the rout, beating Princeton, 10-1.

Dempsey, a Classics concentrator in Pforzheimer House, spent the beginning of the school year helping the U.S. Women’s National Team win a gold medal at the 2011 Four Nations Cup in Vierumaki, Finland.

“[Dempsey is] relentless,” said fellow U.S. women’s hockey team member and Harvard junior assistant captain Josephine Pucci. “She just doesn’t give up.”

Pucci is quick to credit Dempsey for inspiring the team’s success this past weekend.

“She [plays] a huge role in getting us going and focused,” Pucci continued, “[This weekend], we had all lines firing on all cylinders sparked by Jill’s performances.”

Last season, Dempsey finished the year as the top scorer for the Crimson, with 28 points on 14 goals and 14 assists. She also finished with All-ECAC and All-Ivy League second team honors and was voted the team’s Most Valuable Player.

“Nobody works harder [than Jill],” junior goaltender Laura Bellamy said, “She’s as passionate about hockey as anyone in the sport.”

Bellamy believes that Dempsey’s unyielding work ethic is something the team is used to from their leading scorer.

“It’s hard to pick one moment that really captures her intensity,” Bellamy said. “She brings it every day. She’s one of those players that is the first one at the rink and the last to leave. She takes pressure off the defense with her scoring and in practice helps to make us better as goalies”

Pucci agrees with her goalkeeper’s sentiments.

“[Jill] has a big role on the team as a leader,” Pucci said. “She is always working her hardest, focusing on improving the little things, and has a positive attitude.”

Despite posting dominant back-to-back performances this weekend, Dempsey insists that there is room for this team to grow.

“We need to start [games] with [more] urgency,” Dempsey said. “This past weekend, we saw what we’re capable of doing as a team. I have faith in this team, and I think we have a great chance going forward.”

Harvard, which is currently ranked second in the ECAC behind Ivy foe Cornell, faces Boston College in the consolation match of the Beanpot Tuesday night.

“We can’t control what the other team does” Dempsey said. “Instead, all we can do is come ready to play and focus on what we can do better.”