The 2003 – 2004 season has been a roller coaster ride for the University of Southern Maine women’s hockey team. The Lady Huskies are currently 7-7-1 and have shown flashes of athletic greatness. However, inconsistent play has hampered the development of the team.
The Lady Huskies most recent performance was clearly not one for the scrapbook. USM was routed by Bowdoin 7 – 1 on Jan. 27. The lone bright spot for the Lady Huskies was Senior Captain and goalie Karen Jamnik. Jamnik was a busy woman as she turned away 40 Polar Bear shots.
There is no question that the team’s young roster is extremely talented, but the problem is that the team does not always come together until late in games. However, when USM is meshing well and playing like they are capable of, they are dangerous.
One example of the Coach Dave Venditti’s team exposing their full potential came in the R.I.T. series. The Lady Huskies traveled to Rochester, NY on Jan. 17 and impressively brought R.I.T.’s six game winning streak to a screeching halt, recording a 3-2 comeback victory over the first place team in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC). Although USM came up short on Sunday Jan. 18, losing 3 – 1 in the second game of the series, they proved they can hold their own against the toughest of teams.
Sophomore Audra Hill believes the team’s play in Rochester is a true indicator of what this team is capable of doing every time they take to the ice.
“When we are down we play really well,” Hill said. We fight, but we need to fight earlier in the game. But, we really pulled it together RIT weekend.”
Jamnik expressed her occasional displeasure in the team’s performance, but stressed the fact that the team has great potential.
“We have a lot of individual talent, but we haven’t been able to consistently bring it together. We just need to have more confidence in ourselves,” said Jamnik.
The Lady Huskies have nine games remaining on their schedule, and they seem bound for the ECAC tournament. Hill and Jamnik plan on playing in the post season. Asked if USM would qualify for the ECAC tournament, the pair responded, “We can definitely make the tournament.”
The response was synchronized, and hopefully the team soon will be as well.
Andrew Sparda can be contacted at [email protected]