If anyone on the Big Green is a superstar it is either Bredin, the highest scorer in the conference among returning defensemen, or Haggard, who led all ECAC rookies in scoring last season. But Dartmouth Coach Judy Parish Oberting has plenty of scoring options, including the senior forward trio of Jen Wiehn (18 g, 18 a), Lauren Trottier (15 g, 18 a) and Kristina Guarino (12 g, 16 a). Juniors Kim McCullough (13 g, 19 a) and Kristin King (12 g, 16 a) provide even more depth at forward.

2. Brown

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The defending conference champions were hit very hard by graduation and by the U.S. National Team.

The Bears (25-4-3, 19-2-3) lost netminder Ali Brewer, last year's Kazmaier Award winner, and three leading scorers to graduation. Then all-everything defenseman Tara Mounsey--a gold medallist in 1998--decided to forego her senior season in Providence to train with the national team for the 2002 Olympics. All of this means that Brown, by far the most veteran team in the conference last season, is now one of the ECAC's least experienced squads.

The big question marks for Brown will be on defense, where the Bears were used to relying on Brewer and Mounsey to frustrate opposing offenses. Brown Coach Digit Murphy will probably give the early nod to sophomore goaltender Pam Dreyer, but rookie Katie Germain may also see some time between the pipes.

Senior Cara Gardner (0 g, 11 a) will attempt to fill Mounsey's Olympic-sized shoes when she joins the team after Brown's field hockey season ends. Sophomore Cassie Turner (0 g, 9 a) and junior Emily Sigman (2 g, 8 a) also saw time on the ice last year.

This year's leadership will come from senior forward Kathleen Kauth (9 g, 10 a), but the bulk of the offense should come from the sticks of sophomore Kim Insalaco (10 g, 17 a) and senior Chistina Sorbara (10 g, 15 a). Murphy will also expect junior Krisy Zamora (12 g, 9 a) and heralded freshman Krissy McManus to contribute on offense.