(from a story in today's Bangor Daily News by Joni Averill.  As you can
probably tell from the style, Joni is a force in the area for women's
sports!  wts)
 
It looks like the University of Maine women's ice hockey club will
return to the national tournament this year and, says president Judy
Perry, it looks like Maine should repeat as national runnerup.
 
Perry bases that assessment on the fact Maine hosts its home opener
Saturday at 11:50 a.m.  at Alfond Arena against Boston University with a
1-1 record.
 
The Black Bears are hoping lots of fans will come out and support them,
especially since no admission fee is charged.
 
Last weekend, the Black Bears traveled to Massachusetts to face
defending national club champion Boston College and lost 6-0 on
Saturday.
 
But, the following day, Maine beat Massachusetts Institute of Technology
8-3.
 
"BC is the strongest club program around," Perry said.
 
"That club has everything a varsity team has except the status.  They
are the best upper-level club in the area.  BC has paid coaches, a paid
trainer, the latest equipment, locker rooms, and two hours of ice time
six days a week."
 
For Maine, its three unpaid volunteer coaches and one hour and 20
minutes of ice time three days a week.  Nevertheless, Maine can claim to
be the second-best club in the country.
 
Perry said returning goalkeeper Carrie Bodwell, who was strong in goal
last year, was exceptional over the weekend with 49 total saves.
 
"She played really well against BC, which is a very fast team," Perry
said.  "If it weren't for Carrie, the score could have been much
higher."
 
Two players, veteran centers Amanda Moors and Stacy Rondeau, each had
hat tricks against MIT, and defender Kristen Steele had one goal.
 
Maine has a good returning nucleus which includes tri-captains Moors,
Steele, and Heather Diller;  Perry, Bodwell, Rondeau, Becca Melvin,
Heidi O'Donnell, Sue Ayres and Megan Means.
 
The newcomers are led by freshman defender Tracey Young and forward
Janet Calder with Melissa Laser, Eunice Pikuzinski, Dori Flewelling,
Pauline Estey, and Kaisa Hodgkins.  Manager Jen Terpolilli, who is being
taught how to skate, may become the backup goalie.
 
The men who mold this group into a nationally recognized program are
Brian Curtin, Joe Merchadante and Mark Tetenman.
 
Perry said, while the club is still accepting all the contributions it
can and is always looking for help, one thing has improved: the Black
Bears are traveling by bus.
 
"It's great," Perry said, "this is the first year we've been able to
afford something other than a van.  It makes a tremendous difference.
We aren't all crowded in, and we don't have to make a lot of stops to
let people move about.  Now you can sleep or watch a movie."
 
The players in the fifth-year program are very excited about the
prospect of improving on the 6-3 club record and 6-9-1 overall
performance of last year.
 
"We definitely can go back to the championship," Perry said.  "We have a
lot of offensive power and we'll be strong."
 
Perry knows little about BU, a club Maine has not met in two years.  But
she hopes for a good turnout, and hopes for continued public support.
 
Anyone interested in supporting Maine women's ice hockey can contact
UMaine Recreational Sports at 581-1080.