As the Wisconsin women's hockey program celebrates its 10th anniversary this weekend, the team is in the midst of a youth movement.
In an opening weekend that saw sophomore forward Hilary Knight score a school-record five goals Saturday night, the underclassmen on the team made their presence felt. Freshmen and sophomores registered 15 of the 17 goals scored by the Badgers in two games against Quinnipiac.
For the freshmen, however, simply stepping on the ice for the first time in a Badger uniform meant the realization of childhood dreams.
For me, it was really surreal,"" Wisconsin freshman goaltender Nikki Kaasa said. ""This is what I've been working for all my life. It was like, 'Wow, it really came true.'""
Others expressed admiration for teammates that they grew up watching and finally have the opportunity to play with.
""I'm out here playing with the top players,"" Wisconsin freshman forward Carolyne Prevost said. ""It's people you looked up to as you grew up, and you love how they play hockey, so you're just learning from how they play. They're always helping you and trying to make you better.""
All three of the freshman skaters recorded their first collegiate points in Wisconsin's sweep of Quinnipiac. Along with sophomore forward Maria Evans, both Prevost and freshman forward Brooke Ammerman tallied their first goals as Badgers. Freshman defender Brittany Haverstock recorded three assists on the weekend. Ammerman was quick to thank her teammates for the on-ice support she received.
""It was a great feeling to get that first one out of the way, and everybody was really excited,"" Ammerman said. ""It was awesome. There's nothing like that.""
This weekend's series promises a relatively new experience for everyone involved. Wisconsin hosts the Syracuse Orange, a first-year program that played its first game ever against Colgate Wednesday night. Syracuse coach Paul Flanagan, who is entering his second official season at the school, has an impressive .682 winning percentage in 11 years on the collegiate bench.
With the program just getting off the ground in upstate New York, though, Flanagan's team remains a bit of a mystery. The Orange feature nine freshmen mixed with a handful of upperclassmen, many of whom transferred from other programs, including Mercyhurst, Bemidji State and the University of New Hampshire.
At any rate, No. 2 Wisconsin will pack a punch in what will be the first weekend series in the history of Syracuse women's hockey.
While the Badgers host a fledgling opponent at the Kohl Center this weekend, the team will also pay tribute to its own impressive history. Wisconsin will welcome back all women's hockey alumni from the first 10 years of the program.
""To see all the alumni come back and see what they've accomplished will give us something extra to play for,"" Ammerman said. ""It will be a really great experience for all of us.""
The 10th anniversary celebration gives the freshmen on this year's team a unique opportunity to reflect on the history of the program of which they are now a part.
""It's been really nice to see the program grow over the years, and it's even better to be a part of it now,"" Haverstock said. ""I'm really excited for this weekend.""
Face-off is set for 7:05 p.m. Friday and 12:05 p.m. Saturday at the Kohl Center.
