For the third straight year, the Harvard women’s hockey team returns to the ice after graduating the previous year’s Patty Kazmaier Award winner for most outstanding player in college hockey. Unlike in past years, however, this loss leaves space not easily patched.

“Losing a player like Angela Ruggiero ’02-’04 makes certainly a tough space to fill,” Harvard coach Katey Stone said. “It’s not about trying to fill that space. It might just be about trying to build up on other areas as well.”

In Ruggiero’s absence, Harvard returns senior Ashley Banfield and sophomore Lindsey Weaver—who is currently recovering from injury—as its primary defensemen. Last year, both players shared the majority of the time on the back line with Ruggiero, and now will probably move up to start.

Over the past two years, Banfield has developed into one of the Crimson’s more dependable blueliners—marking and shutting down opponents’ key weapons.

“She’s one of the smartest defensemen in the country,” Stone said. “I’m very glad she’s doing as well as she’s doing at this point. Ashley is really good at communicating with her teammates one-on-one.”

Stone also noted that freshman Jessica Mackenzie will see a lot of playing time with her more experienced elders.

“After last year, we know what it takes to win a championship and we know what it feels like to lose one,” Banfield said.

One of those factors is good goaltending, and Harvard returns a steadfast tandem in junior Ali Boe and sophomore Emily Vitt, who together allowed only 1.25 goals per game last year.

The Crimson will also focus on maintaining scoring intensity. In addition to Ruggiero, the Crimson also lost front-liner Lauren McAuliffe ’04 and veteran Mina Pell ’04, but still retains many of its scoring threats and has added yet another.

“We need to stay healthy, that is the most important priority in our program,” Stone said.

This is most important for Harvard early on in the season because the team will be playing with a smaller squad due to sophomore Katie Johnston finishing her time with the soccer team and tri-captain Julie Chu and freshman Sarah Vaillancourt with the Four Nations’ Cup.

When Harvard skates down the ice on offense, one of the most experienced playmakers in all of college hockey will be anchoring the center of its main line.

Chu—a member of the U.S. National Team—centers the Crimson’s first line with Canadians Vaillancourt and Corriero on either side.

Last year, Chu and Corriero—who played together for a majority of the season—accounted for 57 goals and 72 assists.

“I think with the speed of our forwards we are going to have a lot of offensive opportunities and see offensive production from a wide range of people,” Chu said.