With everyone back from last year's squad, Niagara's bench is so deep that Coach Margot Page said she might have to cut a few veterans to make room for nine recruits. The Purple Eagles should have more experience and talent this season, and they could become a legitimate contender for the title when tournament time rolls around.

Page should expect plenty of offensive production from a pair of sophomore standout forwards, Valerie Hall (19 g, 17 a) and Candice Ceelen (16 g, 18 a), as well as junior forwards Brooke Bradburn (18 g, 14 a) and Stephanie Romain (11 g, 18 a). Jennifer Goulet and Lindsay Vine are two of the rookies who could make an impact offensively this year.

The key to Niagara's defense will be junior goaltender Tania Pinelli, who was fifth in the ECAC with a 2.12 GAA last season. Pinelli may leave the squad for a few stretches to play for the Canadian National Team.

Pinelli will rely on juniors Barbara Prall (2 g, 11 a) and Julie Forsyth (5 g, 3 a), the most experienced blueliners, for help in the defensive zone. Talented sophomore defenseman Linda Groff (5 g, 10 a) should also see plenty of minutes.

9. Princeton

Once the U.S. National Team decided to raid the ECAC of its top defenseman, it managed to do a thorough job. Princeton's standout blueliner Annamarie Holmes will join Mounsey and Ruggiero in training for Salt Lake City this season.

That leaves Princeton (11-13-5, 9-12-3) with only two players who scored more than ten goals for a team that failed to make the playoffs last year.