Spring Break
Despite A Strong Veteran Group, Young Huskies Set The Tone
Kevin Vellturo
Issue date: 10/26/07 Section: Sports
The women's hockey team may be anchored by a strong group of veteran leadership, but a number of young players have emerged this season.
UConn took the early lead Thursday against Providence on a goal by freshman Jody Sydor only 59 seconds into the game. The lead was increased to 2-0 when fellow freshman Brittany Murphy put one past Friars goaltender Danielle Ciarletta with 5:27 left in the first. Both goals were the first of their careers.
Though seemingly unaffected by the transition from high school to college, Murphy stressed how different the two games are.
"It is so much faster and rougher," Murphy said. "I'm just trying to keep up and play tough."
Murphy credited her goal to an outstanding play on behalf of forward Britney Chandler.
"Chandler made it all happen," Murphy said. "I just made sure that I put it in."
Murphy also gave credit to the upperclassmen, including Chandler, for making the transition in to the college game much easier.
"The seniors have helped me out tremendously," Murphy said. "They have just made it so much easier and really showed me the way. The atmosphere is just great."
Head coach Heather Linstad praised the way the younger players have stepped up to the plate and contributed to the team's six-game winning streak.
"They have added great depth and all played very well," Linstad said. "They do a lot of the little things and they don't give away goals, which is easy for freshmen and sophomores to do."
Much like Murphy, Linstad expressed how important the veteran leadership has been in developing the younger players.
"I think our veterans have done a very good job in getting the younger players to where they need to be," Linstad said.
With fourteen members being either freshmen or sophomores, Linstad raeally has no choice but to go with the younger members of the Huskies.
"I think I have to trust them," Linstad said. "Thus far, they have not given me reason not to."
Linstad acknowledged the youth of the team, but also mentioned that when they're on the ice, the idea of age and class disappears.
"We try to play classes in a sense," Linstad said. "They just know that they all need to make a contribution and know their role and get the job done."
The underclassman who has unquestionably made the biggest impact this year is Dominique Thibault. With back-to-back Hockey East Player of the Week awards under her belt she has emerged as one of the best players in the conference. With her goal Thursday night, she now has six on the season and at least one point in the Huskies' seven games.
With the young talent that is emerging, they will need to keep up their play as the women's hockey team's moves deeper into conference play and the games become increasingly important.
Contact Kevin Vellturo at Kevin.Vellturo@UConn.edu.
UConn took the early lead Thursday against Providence on a goal by freshman Jody Sydor only 59 seconds into the game. The lead was increased to 2-0 when fellow freshman Brittany Murphy put one past Friars goaltender Danielle Ciarletta with 5:27 left in the first. Both goals were the first of their careers.
Though seemingly unaffected by the transition from high school to college, Murphy stressed how different the two games are.
"It is so much faster and rougher," Murphy said. "I'm just trying to keep up and play tough."
Murphy credited her goal to an outstanding play on behalf of forward Britney Chandler.
"Chandler made it all happen," Murphy said. "I just made sure that I put it in."
Murphy also gave credit to the upperclassmen, including Chandler, for making the transition in to the college game much easier.
"The seniors have helped me out tremendously," Murphy said. "They have just made it so much easier and really showed me the way. The atmosphere is just great."
Head coach Heather Linstad praised the way the younger players have stepped up to the plate and contributed to the team's six-game winning streak.
"They have added great depth and all played very well," Linstad said. "They do a lot of the little things and they don't give away goals, which is easy for freshmen and sophomores to do."
Much like Murphy, Linstad expressed how important the veteran leadership has been in developing the younger players.
"I think our veterans have done a very good job in getting the younger players to where they need to be," Linstad said.
With fourteen members being either freshmen or sophomores, Linstad raeally has no choice but to go with the younger members of the Huskies.
"I think I have to trust them," Linstad said. "Thus far, they have not given me reason not to."
Linstad acknowledged the youth of the team, but also mentioned that when they're on the ice, the idea of age and class disappears.
"We try to play classes in a sense," Linstad said. "They just know that they all need to make a contribution and know their role and get the job done."
The underclassman who has unquestionably made the biggest impact this year is Dominique Thibault. With back-to-back Hockey East Player of the Week awards under her belt she has emerged as one of the best players in the conference. With her goal Thursday night, she now has six on the season and at least one point in the Huskies' seven games.
With the young talent that is emerging, they will need to keep up their play as the women's hockey team's moves deeper into conference play and the games become increasingly important.
Contact Kevin Vellturo at Kevin.Vellturo@UConn.edu.
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