7. Providence
DeCosta bypassed her senior season to train with Mounsey and Ruggiero on the U.S. National Team. With her reliable pads between the pipes last season, Providence was able to shut out high-scoring Harvard in Cambridge, and in the playoffs the Friars played Dartmouth to a scoreless tie at Hanover until the Big Green finally managed a goal in double overtime.
Without DeCosta, Providence will have to increase its scoring production to return to the playoffs this season.
Providence Coach Bob Deraney can look to an experienced set of forwards to provide more offensive numbers this season. The Friars return their top six scorers from last season, including senior Jess Tabb (26 g, 15 a), junior Kim Mathias (13 g, 17 a) and sophomore Jenn Butsch (13 g, 9 a).
Senior blueliner Holley Tyng (1 g, 5 a) will be the Providence anchor in the defensive zone. But the real quagmire for the Friars is the race to replace DeCosta. Crystal Nicholas, a transfer from national champion Minnesota, highly touted rookie Amy Quinlan and junior Brigid Keady all will compete to be the Providence netminder.
8. Niagara
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