2023-24 Wilkes Women's Ice Hockey Season Preview
WILKES-BARRE – Friday, October 27 will mark the start of year number six for a recharged Wilkes University women's ice hockey program. In his second season behind the Colonel's bench, head coach Dave LaBaff has the team poised to improve on their 4-19-2 record from last season in the United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC).
LaBaff and company bring in a sizable recruiting class of 13 first-year student athletes that hope to make an immediate impact on the ice in 2023.
"It was a long winter of recruiting," LaBaff said. "I think it came down to getting the right people in here… We just got lucky that we got some really talented first years."
Incoming forwards Lily Zingaro (Collingwood, ON), Milica Velcek (Novi Sad, Serbia), Jordan Ferry (Bohemia, NY), Sabrina Kotlarczyk (Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot, QC), Haylee Bouchard (Sioux Lookout, ON), Kayli Dubé (Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot, QC), Amanda Spreadbury (Suwanee, GA) and Rissa Brazeau (Timmins, ON) will all provide a jolt of energy to the Colonels' offense.
On the back end, the defense will be bolstered by the additions of Allie Spencer (Paradise, NL), Breanna Herdine (Haslet, TX), Tilly Wierdsma (New Hartford, CT) and Chayce Hynmann.
Wilkes will also have a fresh face enter the rotation between the pipes, as goaltender Audrey Milne (London, ON) joins the squad for her first season in the Blue and Gold.
The incoming class will receive guidance from the 13 returning players and one incoming transfer who all have collegiate experience and understand the importance of building a positive culture on and off the ice. LaBaff noted that he has already seen upperclassmen taking on a leadership role around the rink.
"To have them welcome this class with open arms and really teach them how to play hockey here has been a really great thing for us." He went on to mention the depth of the roster, saying "we have so many great returners who fill all different roles."
The Colonels' forward group welcomes back the likes of sophomore Emma Bresett (Davidson, NC/), juniors Bella Kaczorowski (Anchorage, AK/) and Emma Guzdek (Amherst, NY/) as well as seniors Elizabeth Spoon (Arlington, TX/), Rachel Morey (Buffalo, WY/), Sarah Uhall (Greensburg, PA/) and Julie Patterson (Trenton, NJ/).
Kaczorowski led the team in goals (9), points (14) and shots (103) during the 2022-23 campaign. Patterson notched six goals and ten points for the Colonels last season, good for second and third on the team respectively. Eight helpers by Morey gave her the team lead in assists. She also held second place in points (11) and blocked shots (32). Guzdek finished last year with seven points on the season, while Bresett, Spoon and Uhall bring a combined 106 games of experience to the ice. The group's familiarity with LaBaff's offensive system will play a key role in goal production this season.
Familiar faces will return to the Wilkes blueline in the form of sophomore Anneke Bouma (Newcastle, ON/), junior Ainsley Wescott (Saco, ME), senior Savanna Maxon (Anchorage, AK/) as well as graduate students Abigail Barcless (Hamilton, NJ/) and Abby Miller (Webster, NY/).
Barcless made significant contributions at both ends of the ice in 2022-23, leading the Colonels in blocked shots (37) while recording five goals, ten points and 66 shots. She will be helped by Maxon, who interrupted attacks by opposing teams with a total of 31 blocked shots. Bouma and Miller both demonstrated an offensive flair they will look to build upon; each player tallied six points in the previous season. Wescott joins the Wilkes defense after two years at Curry College, where she collected 26 shots and three points. The defensive unit will play a key role in extinguishing their opponents' goal scoring chances this season.
The goaltender tandem of junior Emma Swansburg (Shelburne, NS/Shelburne Regional) and senior Addy Olson (Naples, FL/) will split time in net and serve as the last line of defense for the Colonels.
The duo made a combined 898 saves through 25 games last season, good for second place amongst all UCHC teams. They will look to carry their impressive .905 save percentage into 2023-24.
LaBaff raved about the spirit he has seen out of his players in practice and the squad's two preseason games.
"They bring a ton of enthusiasm every day. They have that young energy that is so great to see out on the ice."
The efforts on the recruiting trail as well as on the ice have already been recognized, as the Colonels received votes in the Preseason USCHO.com Division III Women's Ice Hockey Poll for the first time in program history.
Despite the praise, LaBaff remains focused on the season ahead and his overall goal.
"I don't think we change our message at all. On any given week, any given day, it's to get better every day." He elaborated that he hopes to see his team "hold each other accountable and find ways to elevate our game."
The Colonels open their season on Friday, October 27 when they welcome the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts to the Toyota SportsPlex for the first half of a two-game homestand against the Trailblazers. Puck drop is set for 5:00 p.m.
