Nicole's NCAA Notebook: December 9, 2024

• Dartmouth remain winless at the end of the first half, but they have to be one of the best no-win teams I've ever seen. It's only a matter of time for the Big Green, who have shown the ability to score, to come back and have had great goaltending from rookie Michaela Hesová. I hope the team isn't getting discouraged because it's clear there is tons of potential there.
• RPI is quietly putting together a really great season. They're 11-7-2 heading into the break. They've only finished with more wins than that twice in the last 13 years. Currently the Engineers sit eighth in ECAC standings, but are just five points back from second place Cornell. RPI has never finished higher than 6th in the conference (back in the 2008-09 season) and hasn't finished higher than 8th in a decade. The Engineers head into the break on a three game win streak, including a 3-1 victory over #14 Yale. They have to work on holding that momentum come January.
• At the close of the first half, conference leaders are Wisconsin, Colgate, Boston University, Penn State and a tie atop NEWHA with LIU and Sacred Heart.
• This is kind of nebulous, but it felt like the high level of hockey IQ was really on display this weekend. There were so many great breakaways, picked shots and perfectly placed passes and what they all showcased for me was the patience and vision of the players. It's no surprise that last year's graduates are making an immediate impact in the PWHL - the level of play in the NCAA is just absolutely outstanding. Watching Tessa Janecke (PSU) hold the puck until the goalie has committed, Jane Kuehl (Princeton) wait for the pass instead of shooting immediately, Tatum White's turn and shoot (RMU) and Alice Sauriol's (SCSU) backhander (to name a few) really highlighted for me the level of play in every single game I watch. What an amazing time to be a women's hockey fan.
• Goals you need to see:

The patience and vision from Jane Kuehl to hold this puck until the last moment before passing to Sarah Paul to give Princeton the overtime win against Quinnipiac.

One timers aren't that exciting anymore, but they don't usually come on a pass from behind the skater. Just an absolute beauty in execution from Dartmouth's Lauren Messier on this banger of a goal.

A perfectly place long-distance pass from Katie Kotlowski and the pick up and finish from Maggie Scannell on this goal for Wisconsin.

Some gorgeous puck-handling from Penn State's Tessa Janecke on the breakaway

A stellar individual effort from Alexia Morneau from Holy Cross in overtime to give the Crusaders the win over #10 Boston College