By Rylie Dobson
(Halifax, N.S)- This week’s Flashback Friday features the 2010-11 women’s hockey team.
Front Row (L-R): Chelsea Mueller, Sarah McVey, Robin Mullen, Sean Fraser (Assistant Coach), Jocelyn LeBlanc, Ashley Boutilier, Laura Shearer, Lesley Jordan (Head Coach), Robyn Nicholson, Alyssa Hennigar, Zoe Zivolak.
Middle Row (L-R): Kim Carcary (Strength and Conditioning Coach), David Kent (Assistant Coach), Liz Matheson, Brook Winch, Lyndsey LeBlanc, Emily Brown, Laurel Charlesworth, Miranda McMillan, Megan O’Neill, Rachel Cox, Joe Johnston (Goaltending Coach), Lori Jones (Team Doctor), Jesse Janes (Trainer).
Back Row (L-R): Tessa Boudreau (Equipment Manager), Rebecca Sweet, Christina Paterson, Isabelle Germain, Fielding Montgomery, Rebecca Smyth, Cassie Banfield.
The 2010-11 women’s hockey team started a promising season with a kayaking trip to bring the teammates together. Although the majority of the women’s team was composed of returning players, the Tigers were determined to do whatever it took to make a convincing run for the AUS title.
A strong first half left the Tigers in second place heading into the Christmas break. After 12 games, they had won six and collected 14 points. Upon returning from the break, the Tigers trained with Nova Scotia’s Canada Games team, and faced off against Saint Mary’s to prepare for the second half of the season. Hard fought games in a talented conference left the Tigers in fourth place with a record of 10-11-3 at the end of the regular season.
In the first round of playoffs, the Tigers took on Mount Allison, a team that had often topped the black and gold in regular season play. Dalhousie topped Mount Allison in an exciting series and clinched a spot in the semifinal round of the AUS playoffs, where they would face StFX. Despite several good scoring chances, the Tigers were eliminated by the X-Women. This playoff run would mark the most successful one to date for the Dalhousie Tigers women’s hockey team since their recognition as a varsity level program.
Fifth year defencewoman and team captain Laura Shearer played a large role in the team’s successful season. Shearer was selected as an AUS first team all-star and was a CIS second-team all-Canadian. She led the AUS defense pool in scoring and was selected to the AUS tournament all-star team. Assistant captain Jocelyn LeBlanc also turned heads during the season, earning her an AUS second team all-star nod and the title of leading scorer on the team. LeBlanc represented Dalhousie on Team Canada at the Universiade championships which took place in Turkey during February, where the team claimed gold.