Experience a Benefit for Girls Hockey in 2011

As high school athletes in Westwood grow, many sports teams in town tend to lose key players from season to season. 

But for the Westwood High School girls hockey program, just the opposite is true this year, as nearly two dozen key players are returning from a strong 2010 season, many of them only at the sophomore level. 

"This is a deep and talented group," said head coach Rick Chrusciel. 

He added, "We have our top 12 forwards, top five defensive players and both goalies back from last year's team. Last season, we played with 13 freshmen. That has set us up in great shape for this season, as our returning players are a year older and have the experience of playing in key roles last season."

Returning as the team's top five scorers from the 2010 season are Ela Hazar, Kim Egizi, Kelly Healy, Meghan Kelly and Olivia Fay; Hazar and Egizi, both freshmen last year, .

The team's top five defensive players are also returning: Kristina Barounis, Sinead Walsh, Katie Horsfall, Christine Regan and Maddy McKeown. Siobhan Burke and Courtney Fay return as the team's goalies. 

Heather Sullivan, Megan Raskin, Catherine Barrett, Hannah Orcutt, Shannon Stivaleta, senior Elizabeth Stuehr, senior Jackie Ventura and senior captain Gabbie Giugliano are all returning this year as well. 

What's more, because of such a high demand in the sport this year (28 girls tried out for the varsity team), Westwood kicked off a girls junior varsity program. 

New to the team this year are the following incoming freshmen: Lousia Swartz, Katherine Heidleberger and Taylor Sweeny. 

"Last seasons, playing with mostly freshmen, we finished 8-10-2, and lost six games by one goal," Chrusciel said. "This year, I honestly think we are as good as anyone in our league."

The varsity team takes on Belmont this Friday at 5 p.m. in a scrimmage on the road, and officially begins the season on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at home against Boston Latin at 4:30 p.m. at the Canton Ice Arena.

The junior varsity team takes to the ice on Thursday, Dec. 8 against Noble & Greenough in Dedham.