Last season the Harvard women’s hockey team scored two goals for every goal allowed, thanks largely to Jennifer Botterill ’02-’03 and Tammy Shewchuk ’00-’01, two of the nation’s top three scorers. But with those two forwards playing for the Canadian National Team this season, the Crimson will look to a defensive unit chalk full of newcomers to enable Harvard to shut down the opposition.

Mentoring the crop of rookies will be junior captain Jamie Hagerman. The 5’9 Wenham, Mass., native began her Harvard athletic career playing both lacrosse and hockey. She tore her ACL in the fall of her sophomore year, forcing her to drop lacrosse. She credits her lacrosse experience with providing her with a new perspective on her hockey team.

“You learn a lot, taking the good and bad from both [sports],” Hagerman says.

Whether on the lacrosse field or on the ice, Hagerman understands the importance of defense. Once a member the U.S. Under-22 Select Team and an invite to the U.S. Olympic Festival this summer, Hagerman will be a valuable asset to the Harvard blueline.

“From a team standpoint, defense is very important to us,” Hagerman says. “It’s the biggest part of the game, and our coach stresses that if we don’t play defense as a team then we’re not going to win.”

As captain, Hagerman provides much needed leadership to a young, dynamic defense. Harvard has only five defensemen, which means that the three freshman defenders are going to receive a lot of ice time.

“They’re going to have to be ready to play Division I hockey right away,” Hagerman says. “They’re not going to be able to learn as they go along.”

Nonetheless, she is confident that Harvard’s recruiting has brought in quality players.

Harvard Coach Katie Stone has been very pleased with Hagerman as captain.

“Jamie’s been a great captain and certainly her work ethic is second to none,” Stone says.

Hagerman is joined by junior Pamela Van Reesema, the other veteran on defense. The two juniors bring savvy and experience along with their impressive skills.

Among the freshmen, Emily Haigh made the squad as a walk-on and has been impressive thus far. Louise Chim looks to be a solid addition to the lineup.

Harvard has especially high expectations for Canadian rookie Ashley Banfield, particularly on offensive.

“We all know we have to come up and make an impact,” Banfield says.

The Toronto native noted that Stone is looking for her defenders to play a larger role in the Harvard attack.