Spring Break
Women's hockey ends on high note
Kyle Towne
Issue date: 3/25/09 Section: Sports
03/25/09 - The University of Rhode Island women's ice hockey team had its 2008-2009 campaign draw to a close, falling to Michigan State University in last week's National Tournament.
The Ram's record at the end of the season was 19-3-3, earning them first place in the Eastern Conference and third overall ranking in the country.
"We had a tremendous season," head coach Beth McCann said. "Numerous players stepped up and showcased their talents to help us get to nationals once again."
Rhody competed in the Eastern Conference Women's Hockey League championships, in a bracket featuring the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Pennsylvania State University and the University of Connecticut.
In the first round, the Rams squared off against the Penn State Nittany Lions. After a scoreless first period, Rhody stormed out in the second period to grab a 3-0 lead. They closed the game out successfully, winning 4-1 and advancing to the finals.
In the finals Rhode Island met UMass, and showed the same domination it had shown against PSU. The Rams outplayed the Minutemen for the entirety of the game, winning 4-1 and taking the ECWHL championship. Junior Jolene Rambone scored two goals in the game for the Rams.
The Rams' third overall ranking placed them in the National Tournament. They began pool play against Liberty University. After a couple of calls against the Rams early on, the team found itself down 1-0. The game proceeded to go back and forth, until the third when the Rams faced a 4-2 deficit. They were able to get the lead down to 4-3, but could not capitalize on a late power play opportunity, falling 0-1 in pool play.
"We should have beaten them statistically," McCann said. "The bad calls early on really hurt us, and we were unable to bounce back."
The Rams redeemed themselves in their second game of pool play, as they trounced Grand Valley State University, 6-1.
"It was great to see the girls move forward after the first loss," McCann said. "We came out strong and really took it to [Grand Valley]."
Rhode Island's 1-1 pool play record qualified the team for the quarterfinals in a matchup against Michigan State University.
MSU scored on a fluke goal in the first period as a shot from the red line managed to bounce past the shoulder of the URI netminder. In the end, the Spartans proved to be too much to handle for the Rams, winning 2-1 with strong defensive efforts by both teams.
"It was a tough game for the seniors and the team," McCann said. "We knew we could beat them, but it was the playoffs and you know anything can happen then."
For seniors Ashley Pagliarini and Kate Garcia, it was their last time on the ice in a Rams jersey.
"They had great careers and were a pleasure to coach," McCann said. "We all wish them luck in the future."
The Ram's record at the end of the season was 19-3-3, earning them first place in the Eastern Conference and third overall ranking in the country.
"We had a tremendous season," head coach Beth McCann said. "Numerous players stepped up and showcased their talents to help us get to nationals once again."
Rhody competed in the Eastern Conference Women's Hockey League championships, in a bracket featuring the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Pennsylvania State University and the University of Connecticut.
In the first round, the Rams squared off against the Penn State Nittany Lions. After a scoreless first period, Rhody stormed out in the second period to grab a 3-0 lead. They closed the game out successfully, winning 4-1 and advancing to the finals.
In the finals Rhode Island met UMass, and showed the same domination it had shown against PSU. The Rams outplayed the Minutemen for the entirety of the game, winning 4-1 and taking the ECWHL championship. Junior Jolene Rambone scored two goals in the game for the Rams.
The Rams' third overall ranking placed them in the National Tournament. They began pool play against Liberty University. After a couple of calls against the Rams early on, the team found itself down 1-0. The game proceeded to go back and forth, until the third when the Rams faced a 4-2 deficit. They were able to get the lead down to 4-3, but could not capitalize on a late power play opportunity, falling 0-1 in pool play.
"We should have beaten them statistically," McCann said. "The bad calls early on really hurt us, and we were unable to bounce back."
The Rams redeemed themselves in their second game of pool play, as they trounced Grand Valley State University, 6-1.
"It was great to see the girls move forward after the first loss," McCann said. "We came out strong and really took it to [Grand Valley]."
Rhode Island's 1-1 pool play record qualified the team for the quarterfinals in a matchup against Michigan State University.
MSU scored on a fluke goal in the first period as a shot from the red line managed to bounce past the shoulder of the URI netminder. In the end, the Spartans proved to be too much to handle for the Rams, winning 2-1 with strong defensive efforts by both teams.
"It was a tough game for the seniors and the team," McCann said. "We knew we could beat them, but it was the playoffs and you know anything can happen then."
For seniors Ashley Pagliarini and Kate Garcia, it was their last time on the ice in a Rams jersey.
"They had great careers and were a pleasure to coach," McCann said. "We all wish them luck in the future."
