While the Mercyhurst Lakers ruled the roost once again last season, the upcoming year may prove to be the toughest yet in the Lakers quest maintain their CHA supremacy. The Lakers will likely see the best roster yet out of Syracuse as well as the results of a strong recruiting campaign for Niagara. Robert Morris and Wayne State who also have given the Lakers fits in years past will have to battle to stay in the hunt, but as long as there are games left to be played, can’t be ruled out from scoring an upset or two. The CHA, while sometimes overlooked by the WCHA and Ivy teams as easy win opposition, the 2010-2011 editions of each of the College Hockey America teams may very well be looking at a historic run to the record books.
CHA Editor’s Poll
1. Mercyhurst
While the other CHA teams have each made great strides to catch the Lakers, the triple threat of Agosta, Scanzano, and Bendus will ultimately overpower the rest of the field. Add into that Sam Watt, Bailey Bram, and Jess Jones as well as the freshman put behind Hilary Pattenden and the Lakers are a force to be reckoned in the CHA and Nationally.
2. Syracuse
The Orange bring back 14 letter winners this season from last years team that surprised many going 18-17-1 overall, and 8-8-0 in the CHA. Stefanie Marty and Isabel Menard will once again be the players coach Paul Flanagan will look to lead his third year program. Syracuse will also look to junior backstop Stephanie Jones to keep Syracuse in games should the inexperienced Orange defense fail to keep the opposition at bay.
3. Niagara
Second year head coach Chirs MacKenzie will look to improve on his very successful 12-15-5 first season in Niagara Falls. Powering the Purple Eagles charge to the top are sophomores Jenna Hendrikx and Kathleenn Bortuzzo. Defenders Carleah Angeles and Erica Owczarczak will prove beneficial in keeping the Purple Eagles opponents from controlling the zone and putting up large numbers of shots on senior goalie Jenni Bauer.
4. Wayne State
Coming off a disappointing campaign in the 2009-2010 season the Warriors of Wayne State look to have an uphill battle in store for them again this year. WSU graduated leading scorer Katrina Protopapas and goalie Lindsey Park who started 12 games a year ago, but a lack luster recruiting class and pending open tryout show that this is still a team in the building process. However that being said I would still hesitate before ruling out any team Jim Fetter puts on the ice before the season is complete.
5. Robert Morris
A solid non-conference schedule for RMU may prove to be too much for a fairly experienced yet under delivering Colonials roster. Series with Providence, OSU, Northeastern, Cornell, and Wisconsin among others could set the Lakers back 10 wins before the meat of the season begins. Returning netminder Daneca Butterfield will rely on a fairly young defensive front to keep the opposition under control. If the Colonials can maintain the offensive zone they have enough firepower to survive, but given the national team caliber opposition they will certainly face, the success of the season may be over matched by several early setbacks.
Pre-Season Honors
Pre-Season CHA Player of the Year
F-Vicki Bendus, Mercyhurst College
While the return of Meghan Agosta will lead the lakers offensive charge, Vicki Bendus is still the reigning patty katzmeyer winner and even given that she still tends to be overlooked by the opposition as a secondary asset. This motive could be the greatest benefit to Bendus and allow her to follow up a stellar junior year with a superior senior season.
Pre-Season CHA Rookie of the Year
F-Christine Bestland, Mercyhurst College
Bestland is by far the most decorated of the incoming CHA recruits. Her performance at the U-18 worlds was one to watch and her 98 points for pursuit of excellence is nothing to scoff at. The Lakers will benefit from her size and shot and depending on her line placement she will either be a top of the lineup cog or a third line leader when the season begins.
Mel Webster is the CHA and WCHA Corrispondent for Beyond the Dashers
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