The rosters are popping up now http://collegehockeystats.net/1112/rosters/miacw looks like Concordia(MN) has alot of new faces.
The puck drops on friday for 4 teams so let the season begin.
COACHES' POLL AND SEASON PREVIEW:
http://miac-online.org/news/2011/10/20/WHOCKEY_1020113802.aspx
2011-12 MIAC Women's
Hockey Coaches' Poll
Rank Institution Total
1 Gustavus (9) 81
2 St. Thomas 67
3 Bethel 64
4 Concordia (1) 63
5 St. Olaf 46
6 Saint Mary's 38
7 St. Catherine 36
8 Hamline 23
9 Saint Benedict 17
10 Augsburg 15
To be honest, I am surprised people are still giving St. Thomas so much credit. I think Bethel likely deserves the 2nd spot, especially with Newstrom back. Concordia won't finish in 4th, I can almost guarentee that.
My guess:
1) GAC (hate it but it is inevitable)
2) Bethel (Newstrom will sole-handedly keep them in every game this year)
3) St. Thomas (I even question putting them this high)
4) St. Mary's (much more experience this year. Should have some solid depth)
5) St. Olaf (too many questions & no goaltending)
6) Concordia (no roster out yet)
7) St. Kate's (too many losses)
These three are a toss up
St. Ben's
Hamline
Augsburg
I agree with the order in which you place the teams to finish. I disagree with your comment about St. Olaf having no goaltending. While they have two Freshmen goaltenders this year, both are quality goalies and are strong in the nets. McKeever took her high school team to the State Tournment from, arguably, the toughest section in the State last year. Ubl is solid in goal as well. Both of these goalies may keep St. Olaf in many games this year -- time will tell.
Also, I was unaware of the transfer of Sarah Schneekloth to Hamline prior to my original post. This should help Hamline in the goaltending realm quite a bit. I still don't think they will finish very high due to lack of scoring. But it should help them to pull away from bottom feeders Augsburg & St Bens.
So the inter-conference match up seems pretty even this first weekend of play (NCHA up at 3-2-4). Do you MIAC and NCHA fans draw any conclusions from results like the Hamline split with Superior or the St. Mary's and St. Olaf ties with Point and Lake Forest?
Lindenwood @ St. Ben's (Sorry Bennies.)
Lindenwood @ St. Kates (hate to say it but until St. Kate's proves it, I find it tough to bet on them.)
Remember that Lindenwood is actually a D1 team now...so they really should beat up on the D3 teams they play. Especially when they are St. Ben's and the new St. Kates. So no apologies needed there.
Lindenwood may beat St.Ben's but I doubt they will beat St.Kates.They still have some pretty good players but their
Goaltending will be the biggest ?
Remember that Lindenwood is actually a D1 team now...so they really should beat up on the D3 teams they play. Especially when they are St. Ben's and the new St. Kates. So no apologies needed there.