The 2012-2013 season was a long, hard fought out battle for the Plymouth State Womenʼs Ice Hockey team. With finishing 5-17-4 and 4-10-4 in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC), the team made their first ever appearance in the ECAC East Playoff season. However, the season came to an abrupt end with a loss to Norwich University on February 23rd. Going into the 2013-2014 season, this appearance in playoffs gave the Lady Panthers a taste of what success is really like, and they arenʼt turning back.
“Find a way or make one”. Junior forward, Kate Banys (Newburyport, Mass) explained, saying that this is a motto they are all representing during the season. As I was puzzled at to what the meaning could be, she said “It means nothing is given to us and you need to work towards every opportunity. We need to make the most of our time here.” This slogan could not be more fitting for the Lady Panthers. Senior assistant captain, Ali Ponte (Richmond Hill, Ont.) explained, “Since there are so many seniors, we’ve realized that we have to make the most of our college years. I think the whole team has a new mentality of pushing through every practice and every game to in order to become better.”
With being ranked tenth to finish this season, they arenʼt letting their ranking stand in between their goal of shocking the conference. Ponte said “I think it’s going to be a season of a lot of firsts for us. We’re definitely ready to make an impact and I think you’ll see it in our play this year. We want to climb in the standings and really show people that this isn’t the same old Plymouth State team.” Ponte is one of the main factors that led the Panthers to their first playoff appearance last season, with 33 saves in a 1-1 tie against New England College, securing their spot in post season. With Ponte being such a key player and upperclassmen, the Panthers are really looking for her to help lead them to a successful season this year.
Whatʼs different about this season from last is the huge difference in class sizes. With the loss of only one senior in 2013, Montanna Heinlein (St. Albans, VT), the Lady Panthers were left with a large senior class this year, consisting of eleven players. Banys said, “The upperclassman play a huge role on and off the ice. They set the tone and set an example for the underclassmen to look up to.” With such a large senior class, the Panthers were able to bring in eleven rookies to in order learn the ropes, and be able to take over after the seniors leave. Senior captain, Meghan Cassidy (Somerville, N.J.) said ” We have a very unique team this year. We are very pleased that our new comers have immediately bought into the team goals.”
But success doesnʼt come to those who just wait for it. The Panthers have worked extremely hard this year, not just during the preseason but in the off-season as well. Senior assistant captain, Ali Myers (Seattle, Wash.) said, “We have been working out on and off the ice a lot during the off-season, and will continue to do so as the season progresses.” This work ethicthat all the players possess during the off-season is what will drive them to successful year. Myers said, “Each player, regardless of the class, is fighting for a spot to play in games and it adds a much more competitive atmosphere to the program.”
Cassidy added, “I feel like every time we touch the ice we are breaking another team record. I can’t wait to see what milestones we will reach this season.” The team started their season on November 2nd against Franklin Pierce. However, after a tough loss, on November 6th the team was able to rally together and pull out a huge 4-1 win against Sacred Heart University, a Division I team. “We have overcome so much together over the last couple years and I wouldn’t want to play anywhere else.”
The Panthers plan to use this win as momentum moving forward through the season. On November 15th at 6:00 PM, the Panthers will be hosting Castleton State College for their first home game of the season.