In case anyone didn't notice this analysis of the team posted on the ECAC thread (with a tip of the hat to Trillium for posting it):
"Reposting this detailed ECAC Pre-season Preview on AtEvenStrength.com blog which may be of interest....
1. Harvard
Key Departures: F Elizabeth Parker, F Gina McDonald
Key Returnees: F Miye D’Oench, F Hillary Crowe, D Melissa Gedman, D Sarah Edney, G Emerance Maschmeyer
Key Additions: D Michelle Picard, F Lyndsey Fry, F Karly Heffernan, F Dani Krzysczyk, F Lexie Laing
Harvard got off to a hot start last season despite losing some key players to the U.S. Women’s National Team, and stood atop the ECAC standings for much of the first half of the year. However, a short bench and a lack of experience caught up to them; their offense was inconsistent and their goaltending looked worn down by the end of the season. Despite holding the second-best record in the ECAC, they found themselves in a very close battle with Yale in the conference quarterfinals, and were pushed to three games by the Bulldogs before falling to Cornell in the ECAC semifinals. The Crimson went on to face Wisconsin in the NCAA quarterfinals, but were stymied by the Badgers’ defense and staunch goaltending of Alex Rigsby.
At the very least, Harvard should be able to find much more dependable scoring this year. Olympian Lyndsey Fry makes her return to the club for her senior season, while Miye D’Oench should also make some noise after a 39-point sophomore campaign and a solid showing for the U.S. in the U22 Series against Canada. Hillary Crowe, Samantha Reber, and Mary Parker all scored upwards of 25 points last season and make for decent top-six options. Kalley Armstrong, the 2013 ECAC Defensive Forward of the Year, makes her return to the roster after missing the 2013-14 season. Sydney Daniels is a high-upside player, and Dylanne Crugnale showed promise as well. The Crimson are also bringing in talent up front with the additions of rookies Karly Heffernan, Dani Krzyszczyk, and Lexie Laing, all of whom have competed at the U18 World Championships (the former two for Canada, and Laing for the United States).
On defense, the Crimson get back Olympian Michelle Picard, who competed with Fry for Team USA in Sochi. They also aren’t losing any players on the back-end, which is always a plus for any team, though they did lack depth. But Sarah Edney made significant strides last season, and Marissa Gedman is a dependable veteran. With the return of Picard, Harvard’s top-four should be in good shape, but there are still some question marks in regards to their depth D. Natasha Rachlin, Briana Mastel, and Robyn White stepped in as rookies last year, but they still have quite a bit to prove before they can be counted on consistently in high-pressure situations.
Emerance Maschmeyer should once again assume control of the starting goaltender position. Her first-half performance was a big reason why the Crimson had such a good start to the year; however, she wasn’t in top form at the end of the year, which was perhaps because of how heavily she was relied on. But Maschmeyer has proven that she can take over a game on almost any night, and she should have a more competitive team in front of her this year, lessening the strain on her. Back-up netminder Brianna Laing had some good showings last season, and she could be a go-to option if necessary as well.
Harvard’s forward depth should be much more sufficient with the return of Fry and Armstrong and the addition of Heffernan, Krzyszczyk, and Laing. Daniels should also improve production-wise this year, and the Crimson could boast the best forward group in the conference if all goes well. They’re still a bit short on blue line depth, but they’ll be able to get quality minutes out of their top-three defensemen. Maschmeyer is far and away the ECAC’s best goalie heading into the season, and she should be able to make up for Harvard’s defensive weaknesses on most nights.
