The Jeffs look to earn a record over .500 this season, having finished last years season 10-15, 6-10 in the NESCAC. Last season the Jeffs were more successful at home than at opponents' arenas. With more away games scheduled this season, the Jeffs hope to improve on the road.
The Jeffs are particularly looking forward to playing Colby College this season. Colby is one of the team's major rivals as games against the Mules are usually very close. "They are also the team that knocked us out in the playoffs last year," said Forsberg. Though the team lost four seniors to graduation last year, the holes do not appear be gaping. Mostly, the team will miss the leadership and energy the seniors provided, both on and off the ice. "The thing I will probably miss the most about them is their enthusiasm and their genuine love of the team,"said Forsberg. "Each of them, in their own way, was really motivational, and always strived to make the team better."
But there is no shortage of talent among this year's squad. Eight of the team's top-10 scorers return this season, led by two of the senior tri-captains:Alena Harrison and Forsberg. Sophomores Lindsey Harrington and Tarasai Karega, both of whom excelled as first-years, look to continue to improve offensively. Harrington led the team in points last season with 25 points, putting her seventh in the NESCAC. Karega shined on special teams, leading all of Div. III with nine power play goals; she also led the team with three goals while the Jeffs were shorthanded. Defensively, seniors Rachel Simon and Tes Siarnacki, who is also a tri-captain, will lead the Jeffs. Both players excel in the offensive zone, entering the season with a combined 99 career points.
Just two weeks into practice, the Jeffs already feel close as a team. "We had already spent a lot of time together as a team during preseason," said Forsberg. Added senior Lindsey Harrington, "I think our team's biggest strength is how well we are working together. We are really cohesive, which I think will help us a lot during the season."
Another strength of this year's team is its depth. "We have 20 solid girls who will all contribute," said Forsberg. This year's rookies have added three players to the Jeff's offense and four to the defense. Of the seven first-years, five competed in the USA Hockey National Championships last spring, and three attended the USA Hockey's National Development Program in Lake Placid, N.Y. The team is also excited for the return of goalie Lindsay Grabowski '07, who spent this spring abroad.
With such promising newcomers and much returning talent, the Jeffs are very optimistic about the season ahead. Amherst is focused and excited to begin its season as the team eagerly anticipates its opening game against Colby this Friday.
NESCAC Notes
Bowdoin and Williams Colleges finished the season in second and third places in the NESCAC, respectively. Colby took out Amherst in the first round of the playoffs but was defeated in the semi-finals by Middlebury College, who went on to win the NESCAC Championship for the fourth year in a row. Amherst and Hamilton College finished the season with identical conference records; however Amherst secured fifth place over Hamilton with a direct win over the Continentals.