Friday night, however, things did not exactly get started on the right foot. The Ole women fell 6-0 to the Pointers of the Unversity of Wisconsin-Steven’s Point.

The game was scoreless following the first period of play. However, in a span of 18 minutes and 11 seconds, the Pointers scored all six goals, including two by Tracy Turody. The Oles were also outshot in the game’s final 40 minutes 21-8.

Despite Friday’s season-opening loss, interim head coach John Bazzachini, who was an assistant with the Hamline University men’'s squad in 2004-2005, hopes to build on the team'’s recent success.

Four goaltenderts graduated last year, so filling that void will likely be his biggest challenge. On Friday, first-year Shannon Herrick played in net, contributing with 23 saves. It is likely that Elaine McKenna ‘'09 will also fight for the starting job.

St. Olaf has only four seniors on its roster. However, those seniors will need to play key roles if the team is to do any damage in the MIAC this season. Lindsey Weier ‘'06, a three-time All-MIAC pick joins Melissa Mueller ‘'06, to lead the defensive unit. Weier has 63 career points and also led the MIAC in power-play scoring last season.

Up front, St. Olaf is not as experienced. Sophomore Lindsey Boeser and Susannah Brokl ‘'07 will lead the charge. Both are coming off successful MIAC campaigns last season, when they were voted All-MIAC. Boeser and Brokl had 33 and 31 points, respectively, a season ago. Brokl’'s 21 goals ranked third in the conference.

St. Olaf’'s next contest will be the first of two games at UW-Eau Claire. The Oles open their conference season at Bethel on Nov. 18. Their first home game is the following day, also against Bethel.

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