Go Time for the Women!

Yep, that's right. We've been spending a lot of time focused on the guys recently, but it's the Women's Hockey Team who will see the puck drop first this year as they face the Vermont Catamounts this weekend at Cheel Arena to open up the 2006-2007 campaign.

Led by All-American Goalie Kira Hurley and Senior Captain Lindsay Williams, the Golden Knights enter the season unranked, but did receive votes in both the USA Today and USCHO pre-season polls. On Media Day, the ECACHL Coaches and Media both selected Clarkson to finish in fifth this year, in a very strong conference, that features several teams strengthened by the return of their Olympic Team members.

The Golden Knights return 19 letterwinners to the team this year, but several players from last year are missing from this year's roster. Kelsey Fletcher, a highly touted young defenseman transferred out to North Dakota early this summer. Defenseman Sophie Doyon who was named to the ECACHL All-Rookie team last season is also absent from the roster. RW Micheleen Devine, who was third in scoring on the team (12-5-17) was one of the more highly praised members of the squad by Coach Seeley has departed the team as well.

In their place on the blue line will be Carlee Eusepi, a top recruit who played on an undefeated Junior Aeros team last year, and a transfer from Northeastern, Courtney O'Connor. On offense, they'll be joined by Genevieve Lavoie, Ashleigh Moorehead, and Britney Selina. All are expected to help make a significant improvement on a veteran Clarkson team that had only a few spots for young players. Clarkson Athletics has a breakdown of the new recruits as well.

We'll have previews of the Women's Home Opener on Friday, which will be broadcasted on Cool 95.3 in addition, the game will hopefully be broadcast over the Internet with a video stream. Lets keep our fingers crossed.