|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Mars resident leads SRU women to hockey title
Source:
Butler Eagle
Written by:
John Enrietto
Published:
March 3, 2010
ADAMS TWP — Hard work paid off for Mars resident Mike Harshman and his Slippery Rock University women's hockey team over the weekend of Feb. 20.
In his second year as head coach, Harshman guided The Rock to three one-goal victories in as many days as SRU claimed the Delaware Valley Collegiate Hockey Association Division II championship in Hagerstown, Md.
SRU qualified for this event last year, but was eliminated early.
"These girls really earned this title," Harshman said. "We got in as a wild-card with a 6-6 record, then did what we had to to do to beat some high quality teams."
The Rock opened the tournament with a 3-2 win over Navy Feb. 19. Amy Bauman scored all three goals, with Lora Gasiewski, Amanda Althouse and Anastasia Pyzik picking up assists. SRU goaltender Emily Greer stopped 29-of-31 shots.
SRU defeated top-seeded Rutgers 7-6 in the semifinals, as Mandy MacKinnon scored the game-winning goal with 5 minutes remaining.
Pyzik scored two goals, Meredith Gruseck had a goal and two assists, Bauman had a goal and an assist, and Althouse and Alli Zubi had a goal each for The Rock.
Drexel trailed SRU 4-2 with 5 minutes to play before scoring a pair of power play goals to force overtime. The game-tying goal occurred with 1:30 left in regulation.
Bauman scored the game-winning goal 49 seconds into overtime to give The Rock the championship. Zubi scored two goals, while Gruseck and Gasiewski got one each in regulation.
"All three of those games were enough to give me a heart attack," Harshman said. "For those girls to play three intense games like that in one weekend and to win each one ... that was exciting."
Gasiewski is the lone senior, though two other players won't be returning next year due to internships.
"We couldn't play some games this year because of weather or the officials not showing up. The girls went through a lot to win this title," Harshman said.
Harshman, 49, also has coached the Butler freshman and junior varsity boys teams to winning records so far this season. The junior varsity is 9-4-2 while the freshmen are 6-4-2.
The Golden Tornado junior varsity has scored 91 goals.
"Our goal is to hit 100 and we've got a few games left to do it," Harshman said.
Butler hockey plans to regain varsity status next season. The Butler Hockey Association held a meeting recently to discuss its expansion plans.
Harshman plans to return next year as coach of Butler's high school program and the SRU women.
|
|
Back |
|
|
|
|
|
|
