Game Notes

DROP THE PUCK: Marian will open up the 2013-14 season on Saturday, Nov. 2 as they travel to St. Catherine's in St. Paul, Minn. The Wildcats finished last season at 11-12-3, falling in the opening round of the MIAC Tournament to Bethel University. The Wildcats return their leading goal scorer from last season in Bailey Rasmussen. As a sophomore, she led the team in goals (11), with four being on special teams. Between the pipes, Alex Hall returns for her senior season. As a junior, Hall went 7-7-2 and posted a 2.28 goals against average making 518 saves.

PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER: Heading into the second year under Head Coach Jamie Kivi, the Sabres are starting to put the pieces together. They return juniors Amanda Waigand and Amanda Alexander who are career leaders in a number of categories related to their position. Combine that with the leadership from the blueline of senior Erin Dunphy and you have the beginnings of a successful squad. There's plenty of excitement swirling around this team and they're anxious to get their season underway.

SEASON PREVIEW: Kristin Skubic returns for her third season with the Sabres. A Chesterfield, Mo. native, Skubic will be looked to for the intangibles that often times go unnoticed.

 "I think you'll see her offensive statistics grow this year," Kivi said. "But Kristin is a strong two-way utility player that we are fortunate to have."

In addition to the 10 freshmen joining this year's roster, the Sabres also welcome two NCHA transfer students to the team. Junior Lauren Zachwieja comes to Marian after spending the last two seasons at Adrian College. A native of Franklin Park, Ill., Zachwieja will be joined on the team this year by her younger sister, Allyson.

"Lauren is going to be a solid two-way player for us," Kivi said. "She has the ability to create plays at both ends of the ice."

A second transfer from Adrian, Nina Laurie, joins the squad this year after taking a hiatus during the 2012-13 season. In her last season of play, Laurie netted nine goals and added 11 assists for the Bulldogs.

"She's a goal scorer, plain and simple," Kivi said. "Nina sees the game extremely well and can be very creative with the puck."

Read the rest of the Season Preview in this week's Game Notes...