Women’s Hockey excited for new year
MEQUON, Wis. – The CUW women's hockey team looks to build off a strong 2018-19 season as the Falcons look towards 2020.
As the season dawns for the Falcons, there is plenty excitement with the team and coaching staff.
"Seeing how this team comes together," said head coach Steve Fabiilli, on what excites him. "Every year it is a new group of individuals and it is exciting to see how they come together and work together for a common goal."
The Falcons return 18 players from the 2019 roster, including three of the top four scorers. Senior Natasha Wanless (Madison, Wis.) led all players with 16 goals in 2019. Sophomore Maddy Millar (Anchorage, Alaska) also added 14 goals last year and was named to the NCHA All-Freshman Team. Wanless and senior Emily Godwin (London, Ont.) also earned NCHA All-Conference honors.
"With returners you get more experience to help navigate the team through adversity," said Fabiilli. "They have been here before; know what it takes and how hard you need to work. They are better prepared for the next challenge."
The Blue and White also added four new faces in Colleen Gilligan (Colborne, Ont.), Annalina Van Hercke (Castle Rock, Colo.), Isabela Noyle (Baltimore, Md.) and Ali Eiden (Rosemount, Minn.) to the roster.
"Every year newcomers bring a youthful energy with them," said Fabiilli. "It has a positive impact on the rest of the group and can energize the group especially in the daily grind."
CUW will look to its youth and returners to fill some key losses from graduation in Kristen Kennedy who led CUW with 26 points and Christina Pattengale who started 25 games in net for the Blue and White.
The Falcons will host 10 games this year, with the home opener on Nov. 15 against Trine.
The NCHA is expected to be tight again in 2020. The Falcons were selected fourth in the NCHA Preseason Poll.
"I would expect to see a lot of close games and a lot of movement in the standings week to week," said Fabiilli. "Anyone can't beat anyone on any given night so it will be highly competitive."
The Falcons are also working hard in the classroom, with six Falcons claiming the title of ACHA Krampade All-American Scholars for attaining a 3.6 GPA each semester and participated in 40% CUW's games in the 2018-19 season.
Leading the Falcons into the season is senior captain Issy Bilton (Burlington, Ont.). Emily Godwin, senior Sam Lombardi (Ancaster, Ont.) and Natasha Wanless are all assistant captains.
CUW opens the season on Friday at UW-Superior.
