| Head Coach |
Jill Pohtilla (Minnesota '87; 15th season, 169-157-27 overall) |
| Assistant Coaches |
Len Olson (1st season)
Alyssa Johnson (1st season) |
| 2008-09 |
5-19-1 overall, 2-15-1 MIAC |
| Letterwinners Returning/Lost |
16/4 |
| Key Returners |
Toni Menth (G) -- All-MIAC honorable-mention in 2007-08 and 2006-07; 4-16-1, 4.73 GAA and .890 save pct. in 2008-09; 16-42-9, 3.75 GAA and .902 save pct. in career (70 games).
Kali Holst (F) -- 9G-4A--13P in 2008-09.
Sara Toft (F) -- 3G-8A--11P in 2008-09; 10G-12A--22P in career (60 games).
Andrea Toft (F/D) -- 3G-5A--8P in 2008-09; 10G-10A--20P in career (73 games).
Brya Erickson (D) -- All-MIAC honorable-mention in 2008-09; 3G-6A--9P in 2008-09.
Whitney Restemayer (D) -- 3G-3G--6P in 2008-09; 7G-12A--19P in career (71 games).
Jess Olson (F) -- All-MIAC Sportsmanship Team in 2008-09; 0G-5A--5P in 2008-09; 7G-15A--22P in career (73 games). |
| Key Newcomers |
Sandra Hinz (D)
Erica Berthold (D/F)
Jessica Larkin (F)
Joanna Dudley (D)
Nikki Haralson (G)
Lauren Rogalsky (F)
Alex Strunk (G) |
| Key Losses |
Tiffany Magnuson (F)
Alison Ulseth (F) |
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Augsburg College women's hockey team may have some surprises for the rest of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference this season.
Entering its 15th season of varsity play in 2009-10, Augsburg will feature the largest roster in program history -- 32 athletes, including 16 newcomers. The new talent, combined with a strong returning core of 16 letterwinners, brings high hopes for a return to MIAC contender status in the future.
“I'm looking forward to watching and seeing how they surprise everybody but me,” said head coach Jill Pohtilla, who has led the team since its inception as the first varsity program in the Midwest in 1995. “I know what they're capable of.”
Augsburg finished 5-19-1 overall, 2-15-0 in MIAC play last season. But with the combination of new and returning talent, Pohtilla has high hopes for team improvement, including a return to the five-team MIAC postseason playoffs after a four-year absence.
“The expectations that we all have are to make the (conference) playoffs. We've never gone into a season wanting anything less,” Pohtilla said. “Making the playoffs is a tangible goal, and increasing our wins will be a part of that. The intangibles are watching our pride come back -- the kids having pride in putting their jerseys on and knowing that it means something.”
SOLID LEADERSHIP IN RETURNERS
The group of 16 returning letterwinners includes a strong core of five seniors, who bring a legacy of leadership to the program.
“I'm looking forward to having our seniors finish their career on a high note,” Pohtilla said. “We have five seniors who have been great leaders throughout their careers.”
Captains
Jess Olson (SR, Delano, Minn./Wayzata HS) and
Whitney Restemayer (SR, Bemidji, Minn.) have been strong contributors to the program during their careers. Olson returns to her forward position after playing defense last season, while Restemayer has also been a versatile multi-position player.
Sara Toft (SR, Alexandria, Minn./Jefferson HS) and
Andrea Toft (SR, Alexandria, Minn./Jefferson HS) also return to the program with three years of experience. Both have 10 goals in their collegiate careers.
Goalie
Toni Menth (SR, Buffalo, Minn.) has appeared in 70 games (66 starts) in her career, with a 3.75 goals-against-average and .902 save percentage in her career.
“We've leaned on Toni for everything in her career,” Pohtilla said. “This year, we'll be able to help her out in front of her.”
Elise Hedlund (JR, Robbinsdale, Minn./Cooper HS), like Olson, will move back to her natural position of forward after spending last season on defense, and will be joined by returning forwards
Kali Holst (SO, Mound, Minn./Mound-Westonka HS),
Jenna Knudtson (JR, Austin, Minn.) and
Erin Leyden (JR, Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard South HS). Holst was tied for the team's lead in goal scoring last year with nine goals and 13 points.
Carly Facchini (JR, Livonia, Mich./Stevenson HS),
Jenna Marquardt (SO, New Prague, Minn.),
Whitney Pratt (JR, Mitchell, S.D.),
Hayley Thomas (SO, Oakdale, Minn./Tartan HS) and
Hillary Volkman (JR, Robbinsdale, Minn./Cooper HS) also return to the forward lines.
On defense,
Brya Erickson (JR, New Brighton, Minn./Irondale HS) returns, after scoring three goals with five assists last season.
Grace Edgar (JR, Plano, Texas/Plano West HS), who appeared in nine games last season, will contend for more time in goal this season.
QUALITY NEWCOMERS
The largest recruiting and transfer class in Pohtilla's tenure at Augsburg will add plenty of quality and talent to the lineup. Numerous all-conference and two all-state recipients will join the Auggies this season.
“We've got some great kids coming in, and the challenge is going to be putting the right kids in the right places. That's always a challenge for any coach. There's a challenge to make sure everybody realizes that their role is important and valuable, whether they are dressing in a game or not, because we can only dress 21 for a game.”
On defense,
Jeanna Dudley (FY, Lindenhurst, Ill./Lakes Community HS) earned all-state honors in Illinois.
Sandra Hinz (FY, Stockholm, Sweden/Solna Gymnasium HS), a 6-0 defender, played with the Toronto Rattlers junior team last season.
Allix Bell (FY, Andover, Minn./Anoka HS) was an all-conference honorable mention defender.
Katie Lamirande (FY, Cloquet, Minn.) was a member of two state tournament teams, while
Diana Bocklund (FY, Mahtomedi, Minn.), a goalkeeper on Augsburg's women's soccer team, was a member of a state tournament team at Mahtomedi.
Jess Geisinger (FY, Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville South HS) also joins the Auggies on defense after playing on a state tournament team.
On the forward lines, Lauren Rogalsky (SO, Godfrey, Ill./Shattuck-St. Mary's HS), a member of a national title junior team at Shattuck-St. Mary's, transfers to Augsburg after spending last season at Lake Forest (Ill.).
Kressi Lehn (FY, Rogers, Minn.) was an all-conference selection in her high school days.
Erica Berthold (FY, Issaquah, Wash.) was a member of a solid junior team on the west coast.
Devon Ellena (FY, Wales, Wis./Kettle Moraine HS) and
Abbie Hawthorne (FY, Brookfield, Wis./Brookfield Central HS) were both members of state champion junior teams in Wisconsin.
Jessica Larkin (FY, Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville South HS) played on a state tournament team last season.
Carissa Miller (FY, Woodbury, Minn.) and
Amy Wenzel (FY, Sun Prairie, Wis.) also join the Auggies on the forward lines.
Two newcomers will provide solid challenges in the goalie positions. Alex Strunk (SO, Bloomington, Minn./Holy Angels HS) played in seven games in 2005-06 at MIAC rival Hamline. Nikki Haralson (FY, Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata HS) was an all-state and two-time all-conference selection in her high school days.
