While most Dartmouth students were home enjoying the holiday break with their family or sunning themselves in some exotic locale, the Big Green women's hockey squad had more important business to take care of. This business included defending their No. 1 ranking and taking on the best teams the world has to offer. How's that for a quiet, relaxing break?
Of course that would defeat the purpose. How else would they be able to maintain their edge and be ready to compete for the national title come March?
"Every player on our team realizes that what really matters is who is number one in March and not in December," said leading scorer Kim McCullough '01.
Dartmouth opened the break with a battle for collegiate supremacy with the University of Minnesota. Then ranked No. 2, the Golden Gophers entered Hanover aiming to knock off the top-ranked Big Green. They left Hanover smarting, following two lopsided losses.
In the first game on Dec. 9, a four-goal second period made all the difference for the Big Green. Carrie Sekela '01, Kristina Guarino '01, Lydia Wheatley '03, and Carly Haggard '03 all scored to give Dartmouth the neeeded cushion.
The following day there was no letdown. Once again, the Dartmouth women manhandled the Gophers, posting a 4-0 shutout.
Sarah Clark '04, Jen Wiehn'01, Wheatley, and Lauren Trottier '01 all found the back of the net for the Big Green.
After over two weeks off, Dartmouth traveled to Lake Placid for an exhibition tournament with the American, Russian, and German national teams. The tough international competition would give the Big Green their first major test of the season.
The Big Green opened up against the Russian squad on Dec.28. They dispatched the Russians, 4-1, powered by a goal and two assists by Haggard.
The following day would be the true test of Dartmouth's mettle. Against Team USA the Big Green were outmatched, and fell on the short end of a 5-0 decision.
With no rest for the weary, the Big Green jumped back into action the next day against Team Germany. The Big Green received all the offense they would need in the first and second periods, and skated away with a 5-0 win. Clark led the way with two goals.
The win sent Dartmouth into the tournament finals and set up a rematch with the potent U.S. squad. The Big Green fared little better the second time around, falling 6-1 to Team USA.
Though the Big Green may not have fared as well as they hoped against the U.S. national team, the experience was one they will carry with them.
'The tournament in Lake Placid was great for us," Wiehn said. "It gave us a chance to really work on some things and improve, and for once we became the underdogs again. "
The Big Green now must enter each game knowing the other team is gunning to knock them off the top.
"Since we're ranked number one we definitely have a big target on our backs," Haggard said. "But we know that if we play like a team, we can beat any other team in this country."
The Dartmouth women carry a 10-0-1 record into tonight's match-up at Northeastern.
