Freshman Garcia states her case in crowded goalie field

Pucks were flying in the Freitas Ice Forum this weekend, but when all was said and done only five found their way past UConn's freshman goalkeeper Alexandra Garcia, who picked up a win and a tie in her collegiate debut.

The Huskies' goaltending situation has been far from concrete this season, with all three goalies on the roster each getting a start. Garcia, who saw one period of action in UConn's opener against Sacred Heart, returned to the ice after sitting out both the Huskies' games at Minnesota State-Mankato.

"I was pretty stressed but confident about the team," Garcia said. "We came out strong." Despite some nerves, Garcia remained poised, turning away 25 shots against Colgate on Friday and picking up 27 more saves against St. Lawrence on Saturday. Garcia's most brilliant performance came in Saturday's overtime where she was able to shut out the Saints, who continued to pressure UConn until the final horn.

"It was really stressful, I didn't want to go into a shootout and we didn't, so that's good," Garcia said.

For the 2008-09 season the Hockey East conference has changed its overtime setup. Now, all conference games will end in a shootout to determine a winner, rather than settling with a tie - something both Garcia and coach Heather Linstad disagree with.

"I think it's not a good way to go, that shouldn't win a game," Garcia said. "If we need to go there I'll do my best but that shouldn't be the way to decide."

"I'm against it," Linstad said. "I don't mind ties. [But] I think it's a team sport. Once you go to a shootout, that individualizes things. You see it in soccer and field hockey but I don't think you should win a championship on an individual part of the game."

While Garcia has played well this season so far, tallying 57 saves and a .919 save percentage, Linstad made it clear that the job is still up for grabs and available to whoever shows the most effort and improvement in practice.

"Somebody has to step up," Linstad said. "I feel like Garcia is the one stepping up the most in practice right now. The other ones are still hoping to play. Goaltending is always an interesting decision; I want it to rectify itself. I would like to have a No. 1 goalie, a No. 2 goalie."

"I'm against it," Linstad said. "I don't mind ties. [But] I think it's a team sport. Once you go to a shootout, that individualizes things. You see it in soccer and field hockey; but I don't think you should win a championship on an individual part of the game."

While Garcia has played well this season so far, tallying 57 saves and a .919 save percentage, Linstad made it clear that the job is still up for grabs and available to whoever shows the most effort and improvement in practice.

"Somebody has to step up," Linstad said. "I feel like Garcia is the one stepping up the most in practice right now. The other ones are still hoping to play. Goaltending is always an interesting decision; I want it to rectify itself. I would like to have a No. 1 goalie, a No. 2 goalie."

Besides having a freshman in net, the Huskies' second defensive pairing consists of newcomers Rebecca Hewett and Sami Evelyn. Linstad has put a lot of faith in the two, putting them on the ice in both penalty-kill and overtime situations. Twice in the third period, with the game tied and time winding down, the pair was able to turn away the Saints' scoring chances on the power play.

"We trust them," Linstad said. "They're doing well, they get a little puck watching sometimes but that was our goal. We're trying to let them learn as they go."

Garcia gives a lot of credit not only to her defense, but to upperclassmen goalies Brittany Wilson and Jennie Bellonio for helping to guide her.

"They taught me to just keep playing tough," Garcia said. "They told me to be confident and practice like I play. I try my hardest in practice, we have some up and downs but I always try to keep my head up."