UConn women's ice hockey ready for its second game of year

UConn women’s ice hockey will play Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Friday and Saturday at the Houston Field House in Troy, N.Y. The Huskies are coming off an opening 3-2 loss to Union. UConn jumped out to an early lead in the matchup, but couldn’t fend off the steady Union attack. Goals were scored by Rachel Farrel and Caitlyn Hewes in the effort. The Huskies will be looking to turn the tide against the Renssalaer Engineers.

The Huskies and Engineers played two back-to-back games in 2011 as well. UConn tied Rennssalaer in the first matchup 3-3. Returning forward, Kelly Horan had two assists in the game while returning defender Caitlyn Hewes and returning forward Sarah MacDonnell each netted one goal. The Huskies were unable to defeat the Engineers in the second matchup. RPI took the game by a score of 1-0.

However, this is a different Huskies team. UConn will start freshman Elaine Chuli in goal. Chuli played well in goal her first game, stopping 27 shots as her career with the Huskies began. Seniors Maude Blain, Kelly Horan and Casey Knajdek look to take control and lead the team this season.

Kelly Horan looks to keep the bowl rolling on her great Huskies career. Last year she competed in all 34 games scoring three goals and gaining six assists for a total of nine points. Casey Knajdek was named to the Hockey East All-Academic team in 2011 while playing defenseman and some center.

The Engineers are led by their two captains, Katie Daniels and Taylor Norton. Daniels sat out last season due to injury, but hopes to return to full form this year. Prior to the injury, Daniels was a vital member of the Engineers defense and was named to the East Coast Athletic Conference All-American during her freshman through junior seasons. Norton is a junior forward who has scored 28 goals and has dished out 29 assists during her career. The Engineers return 18 players from last season and hope to use their experience in games to come. Friday’s game against the Huskies will be the Engineers’ first game and their first chance to see what they’re made of.

UConn finished toward the bottom of the tough Hockey East last season, but has enormous potential to improve, with many young faces to bolster the lineup as they begin the new season.