The Colby women's ice hockey team, one of the oldest women's hockey programs in the nation, recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. As a result of its long history, the team was a founding member of the ECAC Division I league. During the team's tenure as a Division I team, it posted back-to-back tournament appearances in 1995-96 and 1996-97. In addition, the team placed two players on the inaugural Women's College Hockey All-American Team in 1998.

The 2001-02 season marks the third season the Colby lady mules will play in the Division III league. This year also marks the inaugural NCAA-sponsored Division III Frozen Four national championship and the newly formed NESCAC women's ice hockey conference. The NESCAC women's ice hockey conference includes: Amherst College, Bowdoin College, Colby College, Connecticut College, Hamilton College, Middlebury College, Trinity College, Wesleyan University, and Williams College.

The White Mules finished the 2000-01 season 11-9-4 overall and 8-7-3 in the ECAC East Division. Five key players graduated from last year's team but a core group of veteran players will contribute to the team's success. Leading the group offensively is senior Carrie Swiderski (Watertown, Conn.), who had five goals and eight assists; junior Lauren Gremelspacher (Granby, Conn.), who had seven goals and six assists; and sophomore Catherine Sweeney (Milton, Mass.), who led the team in goals with 10. Defensively, the White Mules will rely on stalwart senior defensemen Kelley Jessopp (Lake Forest, Ill.), who contributed three goals and four assists; junior Jill Young (Edina, Minn.), who contributed three goals and six assists; and sophomore Christina Dotchin (Essex, Vt.), who contributed one goal and six assists.

There is renewed strength within the coaching ranks and the team as 12 student-athletes from the Class of 2005 will vie for positions and add the competition necessary to make Colby a championship contender. Included in the Class of 2005 are: Jennifer Anderson (Rochester, Minn.), Michelle Barmash (Kirkland, Que.), Meghan Barringer (Leverett, Mass.), Heather DeVito (Arlington, Mass.), Sarah Goodrich (Yarmouth, Maine), Erin Hill (Kirkwood, Mo.), Caitlin Krause (Keene, N.H.), Kristin Putnam (Oakland, Maine), Sasha Schroeder (El Prado, N.M.), and Mallory Young (Hanover, N.H.). Lynn Hasday (Rockville Centre, N.Y) and Sarah Webster (Shelburne, Vt.) will compete for the role of starting goaltender.

As we look towards the season, we are committed to the "Big Team, Little Me" philosophy and we will meet every problem, circumstance, and challenge with an unyielding positive attitude and with strong, responsible player-leaders.