Volume 116 >> Issue 58 : Tuesday, November 12, 1996

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Women's Ice Hockey Defeats UMass 3-1 in Season Opener

The women's hockey team skated to a decisive victory against the University of Massachusetts-Amherst on Thursday. The final score was 3­1.

With two goals scored by center Lisa Stifelman G and one scored by right wing Jill Depto '97, the team confidently continued on toward their goal - an undefeated season.

The first two games of the regular season have strengthened the optimism and confidence the players, coaches, and fans have in the team. Ken Mackay, a devoted fan, said the game against UMass was "awesome" and noted that the team has improved a lot over the last year.

"Our team looked amazing," said Aradhana Narula G, the team captain. Narula anticipates a successful and challenging season.

The teams seemed evenly matched, and MIT coach Katia Pashkevitch noted that "everybody played really well." The game, however, was won by the Engineers, who kept the puck in the offensive zone and managed to outshoot UMass by more than three to one.

MIT dominated the game in passing, shooting, and rebounding. Another team strength was goalie Adriane Faust '98 who, among other feats, stopped UMass's best skater on a breakaway.

Among the exciting plays was a shot by defense Alison Mackay G from just in front of the blue line which was tipped in by Depto. When asked how she felt about the play, Mackay said, "I feel like the big, fat kid hitting a home run!"

"It was a beautiful shot by Alison. I was just in the right place at the right time," Depto said.

Stifelman's two goals were inspiring and served to both bolster MIT's confidence in themselves and intimidate UMass. "We captured their zone quickly and were really moving the puck aroundŠ for our first goal," Stifelman said. Depto and Stifelman "capitalized on a 2 to 1 situation," leaving Stifelman with an open shot.

Though MIT scored only three goals, there were many agonizingly close shots, notably one from Tory Herman G, a no-look backhand shot which hit the goal post. There was also a shot from Jen Lipson G to the upper right of the net that inexplicably did not go in.

The victory was especially sweet because last year MIT lost to UMass Amherst 3­2.