The ECAC has divided women’s ice hockey into two divisions this year. Dartmouth and St. Lawrence will join Harvard in the Northern division, which could make for an exciting season—these teams were three of the four competing in the Frozen Four last year.

1. Dartmouth

After winning the Ivy League and the ECAC regular season title last year, Dartmouth (26-5-1) looks to have similar success this season.

Despite losing key players to graduation, the Big Green is a well-rounded team with power in all positions. Coach Judy Oberting, now in her fourth season, has brought in six freshmen to fill the void.

In the net the team will have to make up for the loss of last year’s starting goalie, but will have two good players contending for the position. Junior Amy Ferguson will most likely be called upon to fill the hole, after playing in 16 games last year and posting a 2.29 goals against average and a .910 save percentage.

Offensively, the team will look to junior Carly Haggard, who scored 21 goals in 27 games last year. Her 36 points were the 10th best in the league in 2000-2001. Last year’s Ivy League Rookie of the Year, sophomore Sarah Clark, and first team All-Ivy forward senior Kristin King will also work to provide offensive power for the team.

Senior Correne Bredin will provide stability at the blueline for the Big Green. Bredin earned All-American honors last year after recording 12 goals and 20 assists for a total of 32 points. She is already second on the career points list of Dartmouth defensemen, with 110 points.\

2. St. Lawrence

The St. Lawrence Saints (24-8-3) hope to take the championship away from Dartmouth this season. St. Lawrence knocked off Dartmouth 3-1 in the semifinals of the NCAA Women’s Frozen Four before losing the championship game to Minnesota-Duluth, 4-2.

Even after losing five seniors to graduation, the team brings a wealth of experience to the rink as it has 17 returning players.

The team will look to leading scorer Amanda Sargeant to be as productive this year as she was last year. In 2000-2001, she had 20 goals and 20 assists. Transfer student Ricki-Lee Doyle will also add to the scoring power after having an extremely productive year last season with 26 goals at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota.

Second-year captain Meghan Maguire will anchor the defense for St. Lawrence. She is the Saints leader in career points, goals, and assists among defensemen. Behind Maguire will be AHCA All-American sophomore Rachel Barrie, who was also the ECAC Rookie of the Year last year. She was 15-5-2 with 2.07 goals against average, three shutouts and a 0.928 save percentage.

Third year coach Paul Flanagan was the ECAC Coach of the Year in 2000-2001.

St. Lawrence will be an opposing force this season in the new ECAC Northern Division, fighting for the division title.

3. Brown