WOMEN'S HOCKEY WITH MANY THINGS TO BE PROUD OF THIS SEASON

Contact: Mike Zimmerman
March 26, 2003
Phone: (315) 228-6761
Fax: (315) 228-7977
Email: mzimmerman@mail.colgate.edu

 

HAMILTON, NY- In just it’s second season of division I women’s hockey, Colgate took it’s lumps but by the end of the season the Raiders had earned valuable experience and respect as they move forward for the 2003-04 season.

Under first year head coach Scott Wiley, the Raiders finished 12-21-1 overall, a one game improvement from the previous season.  Colgate wrapped up it’s ECAC season with a 4-11-1 mark, a big improvement from the 2-12-2 mark of the previous year.  The Raiders took two games from Vermont, one from Yale and earned their first win ever over Cornell in February.  Colgate also boasted a tougher schedule in 2002-03, limiting the number of division III opponents, while adding division I tests such as Maine and Mercyhurst.

The Raiders season ended much like it did in 2001-02, losing at Dartmouth in the first round of the ECAC playoffs despite leading at the end of one period in the opening game of the series.

Colgate’s season was highlighted again by its’ talented youngsters, as much of the scoring came from freshmen and sophomores.  Sophomore forward Cheryl Setchell led the team in scoring for her second straight year with 19 points.  Close behind was freshman Allison Paiano with 18 points.  Paiano also led the team in goals with 11.

The defense was anchored by sophomore goaltender Rebecca Lahar, whose outstanding play all season long kept Colgate competitive in games and won some others for the Raiders.  Lahar finished the year with a NCAA best 1083 saves and recorded a save percentage of .900.  The second-year netminder recorded four shutouts and earned ECAC goaltender of the week honors four times.

The Raiders crossed the finish line this season battered and bruised, with many injuries forcing Colgate to play shorthanded down the stretch.  Colgate battled hard and played tough, giving Coach Wiley excitement and hope for the 2003-04 season.  A season that includes an entire schedule of division I teams as Colgate completes the transition to division I hockey.