No. 10 Women's Hockey Begins Five-Game Home Stretch Against No. 2 Clarkson, No. 7 St. Lawrence

Pictured: Anna McDonald has scored a goal in each of Harvard's first two games this season.
Photo courtesy: David Silverman Photography

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Complete Game Notes (PDF)

The Particulars
After earning a split during its opening weekend, the 10th-ranked Harvard women’s hockey team will play on home ice for the first team during the regular season. The Crimson will host No. 2 Clarkson and No. 7 St. Lawrence in two battles of top 10 teams.

Follow From Home
GoCrimson.com will provide live statistics for this weekend’s games, all home games and most road contests this season. Live audio and video will be available via a subscription for both games this weekend. Glenn Conway and Matt Sawyer will once again have the call on GoCrimson.com.

Series History
Entering Friday’s game, Harvard owns a 13-3-0 lead in the series against Clarkson, dating back to the 2004-05 season. Last year, the teams split with Clarkson earning a 2-0 shutout Nov. 14. In the final game of the regular season, Harvard clinched its second straight ECAC Hockey regular-season title with a 6-1 win over the Golden Knights at Bright Hockey Center on Feb. 21. In that contest, Jenny Brine ’09 and Sarah Vaillancourt ’08-09 each scored two goals, while Liza Ryabkina and Kate Buesser notched a goal apiece.

The Crimson and Saints have met 42 times, with Harvard holding a 26-11-5 advantage in the all-time series. After winning all three games against St. Lawrence in 2007-08, Harvard split its two contests against the Saints a year ago. On Nov. 15, 2008, St. Lawrence held off the Crimson, 3-1, with Cori Bassett tallying the lone Harvard goal. Three months later, Harvard shut out St. Lawrence, 4-0, at Bright Hockey Center on Feb. 20, 2009, as Vaillancourt and Buesser netted two goals each, while Christina Kessler stopped 22 shots in net.

Last Time Out
Harvard earned a 2-1 victory in its season opener at Colgate Friday, as Leanna Coskren and Anna McDonald found the back of the net for Crimson goals. Christina Kessler made 29 saves, including six in the final four minutes, and Harvard finished the game a perfect 5-for-5 on the penalty kill.

On Saturday afternoon, Katharine Chute had a goal and two assists, and Kathryn Farni handed out two assists of her own, but the Crimson fell at Cornell, 4-3. McDonald scored a goal for the second straight game, and Jillian Dempsey notched her first collegiate goal, coming on the power play at 18:23 of the second period.

Milestone Watch
With its 2-1 victory at Colgate Friday, the Harvard women’s hockey team now stands at 499 victories in program history. The Crimson owns a 499-288-38 record over its storied 31-year history.

Harvard Coach Katey Stone
Katey Stone is in her 16th season as the Landry Family Head Coach for Harvard Women’s Ice Hockey, and she brings a 320-137-22 record into Friday’s game. Stone, who ranks second all-time in Division I victories, has led Harvard to all seven of its NCAA tournament appearances. Stone is also the active leader in victories among Division I women’s hockey coaches.

Stone is 17 wins shy of tying the all-time Division I record, held by Laura Halldorson (337 victories.)

It’s All Over
Harvard is 95-1-4 since the start of the 2004-05 season when leading after two periods.

First Things First
The Crimson was 18-0-2 when scoring first and 1-10-1 when the opponent lit the lamp first last season. So far in 2009-10, Harvard is 1-1 when the opposition scores first.

Bright Spot
The Crimson was 9-4-2 record at Bright Hockey Center last season, while posting a 9-5-1 mark on the road. The Crimson was 1-1-0 at neutral sites in 2008-09.

Just Win, Christina!
Senior goaltender Christina Kessler is 56-14-3 in her career in net, placing her second on Harvard’s all-time goalie win list. Ali Boe ’06 is Harvard’s all-time winningest goaltender with 63 victories.