Dutchwomen add a pair for 2015-2016

by Ryan Fay

The Union women's hockey team recently picked up two commitments for the 2015-2016 season.

One is Onalaska (WI) Hilltoppers forward Jacyn Reeves, who also visited Minnesota State-Mankato and Bemidji State prior to committing to Union.

Reeves
photo: Peter Thomson

The high school junior is second on the Hilltoppers this season with 15 points (six goals, nine assists) in six games. As a sophomore, she ranked third on the team with 40 points (27 goals, 13 assists) in just 22 games.

“She’s got the speed,” Hilltoppers head coach Tim Franzini told the LaCrosse Tribune. “You can’t teach speed, so that’s a huge asset. She’ll learn some of the other finer points, but I think she’s going to do very well.”

Reeves is proof that there is such a thing as love at first sight.

“I fell in love with [Union] right away,” she told the paper. "My parents said if you love (the school), why wait? So it just felt right to me."

The other recent Dutchwomen commit for 2015-2016 is Chicago Young Americans 16U team forward Jackie Mota.

Mota, who was in the USA Hockey Girls Select 18 camp earlier this year, is looking forward to joining the Dutchwomen in two seasons.

"I am very excited about this opportunity," she told the Young Americans website. "My goal was to end up at a school where my desire for high academics and Division I hockey would come together. Union is that place."

Young Americans 16U head coach Anthony Booth likes Mota's potential at the collegiate level.

"She is going to be an incredible college hockey player," he told the team website. "She has the skill and the compete level to make an impact at Union. We are very excited for Jackie and wish her the best of luck in the future."

Mota's current stats weren't immediately available.

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Thomson, Lundberg pick up league honors

by Ryan Fay

As Meat Loaf once sang, two out of three ain't bad.

The Dutchwomen took home two of the three weekly ECAC Hockey women's awards this week. Senior forward Stefanie Thomson was named Player of the Week while junior goaltender Shenae Lundberg earned Goaltender of the Week.

Thomson scored three power play goals on as many shots in last weekend's series split against Maine at Messa Rink. Her power play tally on Friday proved to be the game-winner in a 2-0 shutout of the Black Bears. She added two power play markers in Saturday's 6-3 setback.

Lundberg picked up her second shutout of the season (and third of her career) with 19 saves in Friday's blanking of Maine. Lundberg, the program's all-time career wins leader with 13, is in a five-way tie for the most shutouts in program history.

The Dutchwomen (6-12) are off until a two-game series against RIT at Messa Rink on January 3-4.

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Kurio scores first pro goal

by Ryan Fay

Kurio (Union)

Former Union women's hockey forward Rhianna Kurio scored her first professional goal Sunday, but it wasn't enough as the Calgary Inferno took a 5-2 loss against the Montreal Stars in Canadian Women's Hockey League action.

Kurio's tally put the Inferno on the board at 2:43 of the third period, but the Stars pulled away with a pair of goals later in the frame. She was named the game's third star. The goal is her lone point in 11 games.

A 12th round pick of the Inferno in the 2013 CWHL draft, Kurio played for the Dutchwomen from 2009-2013, accumulating 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists) in 136 career games. The 22-year-old is tied with Dania Simmonds for the most games played in program history.

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Dutchwomen video highlights

by Ryan Fay

Sophomore forward Jessica Kaminsky notched the Dutchwomen's first hat trick since 2006 in Saturday's 6-4 setback to Yale. See all three goals here:



On Friday, senior defenseman Maddy Norton potted a goal with 38.4 seconds left in the third period to propel the Dutchwomen to a 2-1 win over Brown. See her tally here:



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Norton leads Dutchwomen to win

by Ryan Fay

A captain is supposed to lead their team.

Union women's hockey senior co-captain Maddy Norton did just that on Friday.

The defenseman potted the game-winner on a rocket from the point with 38.4 seconds left in the third period to lead the Dutchwomen to a 2-1 win over Brown in ECAC action at Messa Rink.

"It was set up perfectly," Norton said of the goal, her second of the season. "Alex [Tancrell-Fontaine] fed me over [the puck] and I had a clear shot to the net. Stefanie Thomson was in front screening and that helped a lot. I was just glad we could put one in."

For a change, it was Union providing the late-game heartbreak. The Dutchwomen have lost a couple games late this season, including a 2-1 defeat against Northeastern on Oct. 11 where the Huskies scored the game-winner with under a minute to play.

"It's great to be on the other side of that," said Norton. "Unfortunately, I've had my share of being down a goal with 30 seconds left. It's great to finally get one for us."

Union (2-3-0 ECAC, 5-8-0 overall) fell behind when Brown freshman forward Erin Conway put the Bears on top, 1-0, at 13:09 of the first period. But the Dutchwomen rebounded, as Kathryn Tomaselli picked up her team-best fifth goal of the season just 50 seconds into the second period.

"That was huge," said Union head coach Claudia Barcomb. "We were down a goal, and it set a pace that we were going to come and rally back."

With the win, Union junior goaltender Shenae Lundberg became the program's all-time winningest netminder with 12 career victories. She surpassed Dana Smullyan, who won 11 games between 2002-2006.

Lundberg wasn't tested much as the Dutchwomen held Brown (0-4-1, 1-5-1) to 13 shots on goal, the lowest number of shots the Dutchwomen have allowed in a single game this season.

"And we blocked a lot of shots," added Barcomb, whose team blocked 14 shots in the winning effort. "We were really aggressive against them, which is good, and our team played well in front of our goal."

The win couldn't have come a better time for the Dutchwomen, who struggled mightily last weekend in a 5-1 loss at Colgate and an 8-1 blowout at then third-ranked Cornell.

"The win means a lot to the team," said Norton. "It was our second league win, and we were definitely hoping for it. We had a pretty disappointing weekend last weekend, and we've come out a lot harder this weekend. Hopefully, we can get another win tomorrow."

Union hosts Yale at 4 p.m Saturday. The Bulldogs are just 1-5-1 overall this season, including a 1-3-1 mark in ECAC play, but records can be deceiving.

"They're good," Barcomb said of Yale. "They're very gritty. We scouted them, and they have some skill. I hope it will be a good game for us."

Box Score

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Women's Hockey: Dutchwomen fall at Colgate

by Ryan Fay

Colgate downed Union, 5-1, in ECAC action Friday at Starr Rink.

The Raiders, who entered Friday next-to-last in Division I with an average of 1.10 goals per game, jumped all over Union junior goaltender Shenae Lundberg, scoring three times on 11 first period shots.

Jocelyn Simpson put Colgate on the board at 2:20, and Miriam Drubel followed with another goal just 13 seconds later. Cat Quirion extended the lead to 3-0 at 19:19.

Lundberg, who was going for her program-record 12th career win, was replaced by sophomore Maddie Dahl after the first period. It marked the third time this season that Lundberg was yanked for Dahl.

Dahl went on to stop 17-of-19 shots the rest of the way, with the exceptions being a Taylor Volpe power play goal at 11:41 of the second period and a Rachel Walsh marker at 18:46.

Union's offense never got going against Colgate, which entered Friday allowing 3.40 goals per game. The Dutchwomen were outshot 30-21, and didn't find paydirt until sophomore forward Kathryn Tomaselli lit the lamp at 1:38 of the third period for her fourth goal of the season. She is tied with sophomore forward Courtney Turner and junior forward Christine Valente for the team lead.

Colgate (3-8-0 overall, 1-4-0 ECAC) gave the Dutchwomen seven power plays, but Union couldn't capitalize on any of them. The Dutchwomen are 0-19 on the power play in their past four contests.

Union (4-7-0, 1-2-0) will look to right the ship Saturday at 4.p.m. at Cornell. The third-ranked Big Red defeated RPI, 3-1, on Friday.

Box Score

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Dutchwomen's Lundberg nears record

by Ryan Fay

Union women's hockey goaltender Shenae Lundberg is on the verge of program history.

With last Friday's 3-0 shutout of Dartmouth, the junior earned her 11th career win, tying her with Dana Smullyan (2002-2006) as the program's all-time winningest goaltender.

Lundberg can claim the record as early as Friday at Colgate. It's a favorable matchup, as the Raiders are off to a 2-8 start, including an 0-4 mark in ECAC play.

Colgate's offense has struggled mightily, sitting next-to-last in Division I women's hockey with an average of 1.10 goals per game. The Raiders have been blanked in three of their four ECAC contests.

Union's offense shouldn't have trouble supporting Lundberg. Colgate has surrendered 3.40 goals per game, 25th out of 35 Division I women's teams. Last weekend, the Raiders coughed up a combined 12 goals in losses to Princeton and Quinnipiac.

Gametime on Friday is 7 p.m.

Union women's hockey all-time goaltending wins leaders

Rank	Player	Years at Union	Career Wins
1	Dana Smullyan	2002-2006	11
t-1	SHENAE LUNDBERG	2011-pres	11
3	Heather Olney	2001-2003	7
4	Alex Zirbel	2005-2007	6
t-4	Alana Marcinko	2009-2013	6

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Lundberg picks up weekly honor

by Ryan Fay

Union women's hockey goaltender Shenae Lundberg was named ECAC Hockey Goaltender of the Week on Tuesday.

The junior recorded 25 saves en route to picking up her first shutout of the season in last Friday's 3-0 win against Dartmouth. The victory was the program's first over the Big Green, and it snapped the Dutchwomen's 30 game winless streak (0-26-4) in ECAC play.

On Saturday, Lundberg collected 22 saves in a 3-0 loss to seventh-ranked Harvard.

In 10 games this season, the Peterborough, New Hampshire native is 4-6-0 with a 2.75 goals against average, a .920 save percentage and one shutout.

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Dutchwomen blanked by Harvard

by Ryan Fay

Emerance Maschmyer made 18 saves to record her second shutout of the season, lifting Harvard to a 3-0 win over Union in ECAC play Saturday at Messa Rink.

The shutout marked the first time Union (1-1-0 ECAC, 4-6-0 overall) was blanked this season.

The seventh-ranked Crimson (3-1-0, 3-1-0) got on the board when Marissa Gedman deflected a shot past Union goaltender Shenae Lundberg at 2:45 of the first period. Miye D'Oench padded Harvard's lead with two goals in a span of 2:07 early in the second period.

Lundberg finished with 22 saves in the losing effort.

The Dutchwomen will look to rebound next Friday at Colgate (0-4-0, 2-8-0). Gametime is 7 p.m.

Box Score

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Dutchwomen snap ECAC drought

by Ryan Fay

The drought is over.

The Dutchwomen snapped a 30 game winless streak in ECAC play with a 3-0 win over Dartmouth (0-3-0 ECAC, 0-4-0 overall) on Friday night at Messa Rink.

Union had been 0-26-4 in conference play since their last league win, a 2-0 victory over Yale all the way back on January 21, 2012.

In addition to ending the winless streak in league play, the win also marked the first time the Dutchwomen (1-0-0, 4-5-0) won their ECAC opener.

Needless to say, it was cause for celebration.

"In our locker room, it was great to hear the screaming and yelling and how excited they were about the win," said seventh-year Union head coach Claudia Barcomb, who called the effort a "team win."

The overall importance of the night wasn't lost on those involved.

"It's huge," said Barcomb. "Our kids have taken a totally different attitude than last year. They want it, and they've put the work in to get it. It's pretty impressive."

Senior forward Mac Purvis, who put Union on the board with a first period goal that trickled through the five-hole of Dartmouth goaltender Katie Milligan, exemplified the attitude change.

"When we got to the rink today, it was do or die," Purvis said.

Purvis' goal, her first of the season, was all Union needed, as junior netminder Shenae Lundberg turned aside all 25 Dartmouth shots for her first shutout of the season.

"She was on," Barcomb said. "She saw all the pucks, our defense moved out kids in front of her, and she was just really sticky."

For Lundberg, the win was a statement.

"We want to show everybody in the ECAC that we're a team to compete with," she said.

Union, which also received tallies from freshman defenseman Kathryn Davis and sophomore forward Kathryn Tomaselli, will look to keep the momentum going with a home matchup against #7 Harvard at 4 p.m Saturday.

"On any given day, anyone can beat anyone," Barcomb said.

Box Score

More postgame

Audio: Barcomb - http://picosong.com/qJZF/

Video: Lundberg (left), Purvis (right)


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5 things to know: Dutchwomen open ECAC play

by Ryan Fay

The Union women's hockey team opens ECAC play this weekend when Dartmouth and Harvard come to Messa Rink.

The contest against Dartmouth (0-3-0) is set for 7:00 p.m Friday, while the game versus #7 Harvard (2-0-0) is slated for 4:00 p.m Saturday.

Here are five things you should know:

Dutchwomen seek to end league drought

The Dutchwomen will be seeking to do something they couldn't do last year, and that is win a game in league play.

Union went 0-18-4 in league play a season ago, extending their winless streak in league play to 30 games going back to the 2011-2012 season.

(unionathletics.com)

There were some close calls last season. Aside from the four ties, the Dutchwomen lost five other league games by only a goal. One of those one goal defeats was a 1-0 loss on Jan. 19 at then #2/3 Harvard.

Maschmeyer a brick wall for Harvard

Harvard goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer is following up a tremendous freshman season (1.44 goals against average, .935 save percentage) with a strong start to her sophomore campaign.

She has turned aside 63-of-65 shots through Harvard's first two contests, and was named ECAC women's hockey goaltender of the week on Tuesday.

A footnote on Maschmeyer: She is one of two female players to play in the Alberta Junior Hockey League, a top men's junior hockey league in Canada. She appeared in seven games with the Lloydminster Bobcats in 2011-2012, posting a 2-2-1 record with a 4.24 goals against average and an .811 save percentage.

Dutchwomen staying out of the box

The Dutchwomen are averaging the lowest number of penalty minutes per game in Division I women's hockey.

Through eight contests, Union has racked up 60 penalty minutes, an average of 7.5 per game.

Staying out of the box may be especially crucial against Harvard, which leads Division I women's hockey with a 62.5% power play (5-of-8).

Allen leading the way for Dartmouth

While Dartmouth remains winless through three games, one bright spot has been sophomore forward Lindsey Allen.

With a team-high three goals, the Toronto, Ontario native has netted half of the team's tallies so far this season. Sophomore forward Catherine Berghuis, freshman forward Kennedy Ottenbreit and freshman forward Katty Ratty have the Big Green's other three goals.

School ties

Union head coach Claudia Barcomb and assistant coach Ali Boe have strong ties to Harvard.

Prior to arriving at Union in 2007, Barcomb served as an assistant coach on the Harvard women's hockey team for five seasons under current Crimson bench boss Katey Stone. Barcomb, a 1999 Harvard graduate, also captained the women's hockey and women's lacrosse teams in her playing days with the Crimson.

Boe, a 2005 Harvard graduate, was a four-year standout on the Harvard women's hockey team, backstopping the Crimson to four NCAA tournament appearances including three Frozen Four championship game appearances from 2003-2005. Harvard lost all three title games.

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Orange power past Dutchwomen

by Ryan Fay

Syracuse scored four power play goals en route to a 5-2 non-conference win over visiting Union on Saturday afternoon at the Tennity Ice Pavilion.

The Orange, which finished four-for-five on the power play, hadn't scored four power play goals in a single game since collecting four in a 4-3 win at Rensselaer on October 24, 2009.

The last time the Dutchwomen coughed up four power play goals in a single contest was a 6-2 loss at Quinnipiac on February 17, 2011. Union entered Saturday's game having allowed five power play goals through the season's first seven games.

Unlike Syracuse, Union couldn't capitalize on their power plays, ending the afternoon 0-for-4 on the man advantage.

Union, which never led on Saturday, received a goal and an assist from Christine Valente. Valente's goal was her fourth of the year, tying her with Courtney Turner for the team lead. Freshman Alli Devins recorded her first collegiate assist on Valente's goal.

Jessica Kaminsky potted the other Union goal, her second of the season.

Syracuse's offensive attack was led by Margot Scharfe, who had a two goals, including one on the power play at 8:46 of the second period that proved to be the eventual game-winner. She also chipped in an assist.

Caitlin Roach, Nicole Ferrara, and Melissa Piacentini added power play goals for the Orange.

With Union trailing 4-1 after the second period, Dutchwomen head coach Claudia Barcomb made a switch in goal, replacing Shenae Lundberg with Madeleine Dahl. Lundberg stopped 22-of-26 shots while Dahl turned aside five-of-six in relief.

Syracuse, which received 22 saves from Jenesica Drinkwater, outshot Union 32-to-24.

After a promising 2-0-0 start, the Dutchwomen have dropped five of their past six contests to fall to 3-5-0. Union returns to Messa Rink next weekend to open ECAC play against Dartmouth (11/1, 7 p.m) and Harvard (11/2, 4 p.m).

Box Score

5 things to know: Dutchwomen at Syracuse

by Ryan Fay

The Union women's hockey team battles Syracuse in a non-league game set for 2 p.m Saturday at the Tennity Ice Pavilion in Syracuse, New York.

Here are five things you should know:



Norton (Union)

1. Sophomore forward Courtney Turner (four goals, four assists) currently leads Union with eight points through seven games. The four goals put her on pace to shatter her goal mark from her freshman season, when she netted a team-high six in 34 games.

2. Senior captain Maddy Norton has five points (1 goal, 4 assists) through seven games, establishing a new career-high. Her previous career-high in points in a season was four, set back in 2011-2012. The defenseman is currently tied with junior forward Bryanne Panchuk (1 g, 4 a) for second on the team in scoring.

3. The Dutchwomen (3-4) and the Orange (2-4) have had two mutual opponents so far this season: Northeastern and Providence. While the Dutchwomen fell to Northeastern, 3-2, Syracuse beat them, 4-1. Both Union and Syracuse split a two game series against Providence.

4. Union and Syracuse most recently met last season, when the two teams split a two-game set at Messa Rink on Nov. 2-3, 2012. The Dutchwomen dropped the first game, 2-1, but won the second contest, 4-2. Syracuse holds a 6-2 all-time record against Union.

5. Saturday's game will be Union's last non-conference tilt until Maine pays a visit to Messa Rink on Dec. 13-14. The Dutchwomen open league play next weekend when they host Dartmouth (11/1, 7 p.m.) and Harvard (11/2, 4 p.m.). The games will be the first of eight consecutive league contests for Union.

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Dutchwomen top Penn State, 2-1 (UPDATED)

by Ryan Fay

The Dutchwomen played the role of spoiler on Friday night.

The Penn State Lady Nittany Lions were playing their first game in the newly-opened, state-of-the-art Pegula Ice Arena. But the Dutchwomen put a damper on the festivities by skating away with a 2-1 non-conference road win.

The Dutchwomen and the Lady Nittany Lions battle Friday
at the Pegula Ice Arena in University Park, PA
photo: Mark Selders

With the game tied 1-1, senior forward Stefanie Thomson struck on the power play just over four minutes into the third period to provide the eventual game winner. Thomson's tally, which was assisted by senior defenseman Ashley Johnston and junior forward Christine Valente, was her first of the season.

The win snapped a three game losing streak for the Dutchwomen, who improved to 3-3 on the season.

Union's special teams were firing on all cylinders, going 2-for-2 on the power play and 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.

Union sophomore forward Courtney Turner opened the scoring with a power play tally at 14:48 of the first period. It was her third goal of the year, and it was assisted by senior defenseman Maddy Norton and junior forward Bryanne Panchuk.

The Dutchwomen's lead would stand until 3:57 of the second period, when Penn State sophomore forward Shannon Yoxheimer potted a goal to tie the game at 1-1.

Yoxheimer's goal was her team-best third of the season, and it was the lone Penn State shot to elude Dutchwomen junior netminder Shenae Lundberg, who stopped 23-of-24 shots. The Deerfield Academy product lowered her goals against average to 2.45, and increased her save percentage to .922.

Nicole Paniccia put aside 24-of-26 shots for the Lady Nittany Lions.

Penn State (1-3-1) gets another crack at the Dutchwomen when the two teams square off again on Saturday. Gametime is 2:00 p.m.

Box Score

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Dutchwomen lose a heartbreaker, 3-2

by Ryan Fay

The Union women's hockey team was 32 seconds away from securing one of the biggest wins in program history Saturday at Messa Rink.

But #7 Boston Unviersity (1-0-1) had other ideas.

With Boston University trailing 2-1, Louise Warren scored an unassisted extra-attacker goal with 32 seconds left in regulation to force overtime. Rebecca Russo's second goal of the game at 3:13 of the extra frame won it for Terriers, 3-2.

Russo gave the Terriers a 1-0 lead with a power play goal at 10:59 of the first period. Christine Valente tied the game at 1-1 just under seven minutes later.

After a scoreless second period, Rebecca Babiak put the Dutchwomen on top, 2-1, at 7:01 of the third period.

The Dutchwomen (2-3-0) were outshot, 48-29. Shenae Lundberg recorded 45 saves for Union in the losing effort.

Boston University went 1-for-5 on the power play while the Dutchwomen went 0-for-5.

Union returns to action next weekend with a two-game non-conference road series at Penn State.

Box Score

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Dutchwomen fall to Northeastern, 2-1

by Ryan Fay

Maggie DiMasi scored the game-winning goal with 55 seconds left in the third period to lift Northeastern to a 2-1 non-conference road win over the Union women's hockey team Friday afternoon at Messa Rink.

Union (2-2) struck first on a Jessica Kaminsky goal at 1:18 of the first period.

Kaminsky's tally was the difference until Northeastern (2-1) rallied in the third period. Kelly Wallace scored a shorthanded goal at 9:35, and DiMasi's dagger with under a minute to play gave the Huskies the lead for good.

After getting yanked for Maddie Dahl in last Saturday's 6-2 loss to Providence, Shenae Lundberg was given the starting nod and stopped 28-of-30 shots.

Union returns to action Saturday at 3:30 p.m against Boston University.

Box Score

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Dutchwomen breeze to exhibition win

by Ryan Fay

The Union women's hockey team skated past the Ottawa Junior Senators, 6-0, in an exhibition game Saturday at Messa Rink.

With goals from Elizabeth Otten, Mac Purvis, Kathryn Tomaselli and Alex Tancrell-Fontaine, Union stormed out to a 4-0 lead in the first 13:18 of the first period and never looked back.

Rebecca Babiak and Stefanie Thomson tacked on goals in the third period. Thomson's tally came on the powerplay; the Dutchwomen finished 1-for-3 on the man advantage.

Union goaltenders Shenae Lundberg, Madeleine Dahl and Emma Pincott played 20 minutes apiece and combined to stop all 18 Senators shots. Lundberg, who is expected to see the bulk of the action this season, led the trio with nine saves.

Ottawa won the faceoff battle, 34-22. Senators forward Leah Buchanan was especially effective, winning 17-of-20 draws.

The Dutchwomen open the regular season Saturday at the University of Connecticut. Gametime is 2 pm.

Box Score

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Chu resigns from Union

by Ryan Fay

Union women's hockey assistant coach Julie Chu has resigned.

"I will be leaving Union to focus solely on training for the 2014 Olympic Games," Chu said in a statement. "The women's hockey team, coaching staff, athletic administration and the Union community have been a wonderful environment for me to work in for the past three years. I appreciate my time here and wish the best for Union Athletics in the future."

Chu (Union)

Head coach Claudia Asano-Barcomb said that Chu brought a lot to the program in her three years as an assistant, a period which saw the program reach new heights in out of conference play.

“Julie has been a tremendous asset to the women's ice hockey program for the last three years as a recruiter and associating Team USA with Union women's hockey," Barbomb said in a statement. "She has aided the development of our student-athletes with skills as well as the understanding of the game of ice hockey. Chu has implemented systems as well as giving the student-athletes individualized attention on and off the ice.

"Julie has fostered a family atmosphere amongst the student-athletes and staff and has served as an excellent role model for our student-athletes. I am incredibly grateful for her work ethic and dedication to the Union Hockey program and wish her nothing but the best."

Prospective Olympians like Chu will be evaluated in various camps and tournaments leading up to the 2014 Olympics. The preliminary Olympic roster will be named in June at the conclusion of the summer training camp. The final Olympic roster will be announced in late December.

Chu would hardly be a stranger to Olympic play. She competed for Team USA in the past three Winter Olympic games, 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah, 2006 in Turin, Italy, and 2010 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Team USA won a silver medal in 2002 and 2010 and a bronze in 2006.

In 15 Olympic contests, Chu has registered four goals and 11 assists.

Her replacement at Union has not yet been named, but whoever is brought in will be on a one-year appointment with the possibility of renewal.

Dutchwomen seniors winding down Union careers

by Ryan Fay

SCHENECTADY -- When the final horn sounds on Saturday, the Dutchwomen will see their season come to an end. For five members of the team, their college careers will also come to finish line.

Forwards Nicole Bartlett, Rhianna Kurio, Emma Rambo, and Jeannie Sabourin along with goaltender Alana Marcinko are set to graduate this spring.

The group has left an indelible mark on head coach Claudia Asano Barcomb.

"They're a good group of people," she said after Friday's 2-1 setback to Colgate. "They've always worked their tails off. They've done such a great job and I appreciate everything they've done. They were our second recruiting class and I'm sad to see them graduate."

A native of Joliet, Illinois, Rambo has been one of the most durable assets in program history. Her 134 games played tie her for second most by any Dutchwomen player. The thought of Saturday being her last one in a Union uniform is tough for her to take.

"It's terrible," Rambo said. "I hate to think about it, the but the four years have gone by real fast."

One of the most memorable moments of her Union career came early on.

"In my freshman year, I took out my assistant coach in the first practice. That was pretty funny," she recalled.

Kurio, who is tied for 10th place on the program's career goals list with 13, said one of her best memories came much more recently. Last Saturday, she scored with 16 seconds left in the game to force an eventual 1-1 tie at Yale.

"I was pretty shocked that it went in, actually," she said. "I was just trying to get to the net and luckily it went in."

At 7-22-4, the program is having its best season since winning 11 games during the 2002-2003 campaign. The consensus was the program has come a long way over the duration of the seniors' time at Union.

"It's black and white," Rambo said.

"The girls have really improved the skill that we have," added Kurio.

There's still a ways to go -- notably in league play, where zero of the team's seven wins have come.

"We're more successful outside of our league, which makes me wonder what we need to do in the league," Barcomb said. "At the end of the season, you always re-evaluate and try to figure out what will make you better."

Rambo already has the answer.

"We need to have more good recruiting classes. We could use some good goal scorers and playmakers," she said, likely aware of the team ranking last in Division I at 1.24 goals a game.

Saturday's game against #3 Cornell, which beat Union 8-1 on Feb. 1, offers the seniors a chance to close their Union careers on a high note.

"[Going out with a win] would be really great, especially against Cornell since they're at the top of the league," Kurio said.

Said Barcomb of Cornell, "They're a very good team. You'll see an excellent offensive team. One of the best players in the league, Brianne Jenner, is on Cornell. But our team is going to put up a good fight."

Saturday in Union Hockey

(Unfortunately, I wasn't at the game, so no postgame videos tonight).

by Ryan Fay

DUTCHMEN 2, BROWN 0

Brown's three game unbeaten streak against Union came to an end following a 2-0 loss Saturday night at Messa Rink.

The game was scoreless until 9:30 of the second period when Max Novak's even strength goal gave the Dutchmen a 1-0 lead. It was the sophomore's second goal in as many nights.

Kyle Bodie's empty net tally at 19:41 of the third period made it a 2-0 lead.

The Dutchmen set a season high in shots with 48, two more than the previous high set on Nov. 25 vs Penn State. Saturday's win marked the first 2-0 weekend for Union since the Penn State weekend Nov. 24-25.

After coughing up five goals and getting yanked in a 5-1 loss to RPI on Friday, Brown's Anthony Borelli rebounded and set a career high with 46 saves.

One night after taking eight penalties against Yale, Union's lone penalty was a holding the stick call against freshman David Roy at 2:56 of the second period.

Troy Grosenick stopped all 23 shots that came his way for his first shutout of the season.

With the win, and Yale's 4-1 loss at RPI, Union moves into a tie for third place with St. Lawrence. The Saints clipped Princeton, 3-2.

The Dutchmen (15-10-5, 8-6-4) travel to Colgate and Cornell next Fri-Sat. Both games start at 7 pm.

DUTCHWOMEN 1, YALE 1

Despite being eliminated from playoff contention, the Dutchwomen still have some fight in them.

Rhianna Kurio's goal with 16 seconds left in the third period forced an eventual 1-1 tie at Yale (4-19-3, 3-13-3).

Yale's only goal came from Kate Martini at 5:33 of the third period.

Drawing her first collegiate start, Maddie Dahl collected 21 saves prior to being relieved by Shenae Lundberg late in regulation.

The Dutchwomen (7-21-4, 0-16-4) outshot Yale, 32-27, and return to Messa Rink to close out the season against Cornell and Colgate next Fri-Sat.