On defense, second year captain Kelly Roos will lead the Raiders after earning 2001 ECAC All-Tournament honors last year. She has 42 career points. Behind the defense, two freshmen will vie with junior Jen Burtraw for the starting position in the net. Freshman Rebecca Lahar was one of the top five recruited goaltenders in the nation. Her decision to go to Colgate shows how hard Wisner has worked to bring in new recruits.

The team is young and new to the league, so this will be an educational season.

9. Vermont

Like Colgate, Vermont (14-8-2) is one of the expansion teams added to the Women’s ECAC this year. The team only earned varsity status in 1998 and spent the last few seasons in Division III.

The Catamounts will not only have to learn how to play at a higher level, but will have to overcome the graduation of 10 seniors last year, the most the team has ever lost.

The team will feel the blow the most on offense. The Catamounts’ three top scorers from last year’s squad graduated in the spring.

At the blueline, four players will return, including co-captain Jillian Giardina who has not missed a game since joining the team her freshman year. Lindsey Neilson will accompany Giardina on defense. Neilson was named to the 2001 ECAC D-III All-Rookie team last year.

In goal the team will rely on 2001 ECAC D-III Goaltender of the Year Tiffany Hayes.

The team earned its way into Division I with its play last year, but cannot be expected to give incredible production at the higher level. In years to come, after a few more recruiting classes come in, it may be a powerful force in the Northern division.