Iowa State University’s Women’s Hockey Club has grown in leaps and bounds.

Only three years old, it is a work in progress. Since the team is now competing with established programs, it’s easy to pat ourselves on the back when we think about how far we have come.

For example, many of us had never skated before, yet alone sprinted backwards or taken a slap shot. Being able to experience the fast, physical exhilaration of ice hockey has been a very empowering experience.

Still, such progress did not come about overnight or without assistance.

We have been working hard, four or more nights per week, under the direction of very dedicated coaching staff.

I would like to recognize and thank our underpaid coaches: Phil Hodges, Tote Randall and Lance Hodges. This is the second season that Coach Phil Hodges has volunteered his time, patience and wisdom. With assistance from Randall and Lance Hodges, Phil Hodges has been able to further develop the program.

In addition to the coaching staff, the women’s team has seen the help of a number of dedicated individuals.

Our No. 1 fan, Bill Hart, has done a tremendous job as Web administrator, score keeper and practice coach.

Individuals from the ISU men’s team have also turned out to support the women’s team during practices. Those individuals include Darren Anderson, Mike Ogborn, Jeff Richer, Rob Rose, Dan LaVoie, Marty Birch, Nat Little and Kevin Koski.

The years of experience all of these men have shared with us have been greatly appreciated and hugely beneficial. Our 7-5-1 record and 4-3/4-2 wins over Bethel College are proof.

Goalie Lori Majetic finished her season at the Bethel game held at Columbia Arena in Minneapolis Feb. 5 and 6. She had 57 saves for the weekend. A huge asset to the team, Majetic will leave a big skates for sophomore goalie Lindsay Williams to fill.

Williams took a shot at filling them during the third period of the second game against Bethel. She had five saves in four minutes.

Senior Jocelyn Nordstrom had a hat trick on Friday. Kim Waters picked up one goal as well. Piper Wall and Wendy Martling each had one assist. An excellent showing of dedicated fans at Saturday’s game saw Leah Hiniker, Nordstrom and Waters with goals. Hiniker and Waters each had an assist and Martling had two.

The lady Cyclones will next put their developing hockey education to use Feb. 20 and 21 in Winona, Minn. They will play St. Mary’s College at 7:05 p.m. and 2:05 a.m., respectively.

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Vanessa Lutz

Graduate student

Undeclared

ISU women’s hockey team