2001-02 Women's  Ice Hockey Outlook

Entering their fourth season, the Trinity College women’s ice hockey team will be skating in a new direction under first-year Head Coach Katie Busniuk. With the foundation of returning players and the addition of fresh newcomers, the future looks bright for Bantams.

Just a pair of seniors graduated from last year’s team, while 10 experienced and talented skaters return, along with a solid goaltender. Senior captain Jessica Martin (Fort Myers, Fla.) gives the Bantams leadership, experience and a physical presence on defense. Junior Lacey Manzione (Toms River, N.J.) and sophomore Leah Culver (Milton, Mass.) will also man the blue line, along with skilled freshman prospects Mary Jane Irwin (Cumberland, Maine) and Elizabeth Jakes (Roseville, Minn.).

Offensively, the 2001-02 Bantams return an abundance of talent, led senior assistant captain Kate Heney (South Burlington, Vt.). Sophomores Samantha Lee (Hartsdale, N.Y.), Jillian Nelsen (Albany, N.Y.), and Sarah Shoukimas (Chestnut Hill, Mass.) each emerged as scoring threats in their freshman seasons, and veteran junior forwards Katie Bowman (Summit, N.J.) and Erin LeDell (Plymouth, Minn.) will bring additional scoring punch upon their return from a semester abroad. Freshman forwards Victoria Fox (Locust Valley, N.Y.), Kristin Hadeka (Castleton, Vt.), and Michelle O’Neil (Westwood, Mass.) should also have an immediate impact on the Bantam offensive attack.

Sophomore Mimi MacKinnon (Glen Cove, N.Y.) came to Trinity with a high-level of experience, and proved she could excel at the college level last season. Her outstanding performance between the pipes included 582 saves in 18 games fending off some of the top offenses in Division III women’s ice hockey.

"I am excited to begin my first year at Trinity" says Busniuk. "The team looks good. We are fortunate to have several returning players and a talented freshman class."