It's a series of new possibilities for the Union College women's hockey team in 2007-08. First-year Head Coach Claudia Asano and her staff of Ali Boe and Ashley Shaidle are confident that the Dutchwomen will find success in ECAC Hockey.

The Dutchwomen start the new season at home this weekend against two-time defending national champion and preseason #1 Wisconsin, and then hit the road for two pairs of games against Vermont and Wayne State.

"It's great to have the returning national championship team come here," said Asano. "Wisconsin's standard is the highest in the nation. They work hard and they're one of the most talented teams, so it's a good measure for us right at the beginning of the season."

Union returns home to open ECAC Hockey play in late October before mixing in road trips to Boston University and Sacred Heart. The Dutchwomen then have a four-game league homestand and close out the first half of the season with a pair of exhibition games against the Toronto Aeros.

Union faces off with cross-town rival RPI to start the second half of the season, and Asano is optimistic about the home-and-home series. "It's really exciting to open up the second half of the season with RPI. We will be physically matched up with them and I think we will have had time to really come together as a team."

The Dutchwomen wrap up their non-conference schedule against Sacred Heart at Messa Rink before hosting Clarkson and St. Lawrence to close out the month of January. Union faces a daunting February, playing six of eight games on the road.

"It will certainly be tough to be on the road in February," said Asano. "But being on the road can allow you more time to get really focused for the task at hand."

Union saw its first full Division I class graduate last season, a seven-member group that included the program's all-time leading scorer, Elise Nichols. But the Dutchwomen return 15 letterwinners, including six of the top 10 scorers from last season.

The veteran leadership centers around the tri-captains: seniors Maeve Kehoe (Chelsea, QC) and Ashley Kilstein (Cherry Hill, NJ), and junior Gabriela Wintner (Winnipeg, MB). The three offer up different leadership styles, noted the coaching staff.

"They're great young women," commented Asano. "Ashley is a social leader; she makes sure everyone is involved and is very vocal."

Assistant Coach Shaidle noted that, "Gabi is more of an on-ice leader; she leads by example. People want to follow her lead. She doesn't need to say much."

Asano added, "Maeve is a little of both. She's a vocal communicator and an on-ice leader and brings in the experience of being an assistant captain last season."

The offense features top returning scorer Suzy Pocock (Sterling Heights, MI), who has netted 25 points on 16 goals and nine assists in 59 career games. Joining the junior will be sophomore Brenna Malnar (Soughgate, MI), who picked up 10 points on five goals and five assists last season. The pair also played together prior to Union on the Honeybaked AAA team.

Asano and her staff will look to the six incoming forwards to contribute right away, as well. Shaidle noted that Callee Heywood (Innisfail, AB) could factor in from the start. "She's one of our best-conditioned athletes and is quick on the ice," said Shaidle.

Last season's Co-MVP Meagan Beck (Niskayuna, NY) returns to anchor the defense in her junior season, and will lead a balanced d-corps that has both size and skill.

The Dutchwomen lost two of last year's netminders, but bring in Maine transfer Lundy Day (Calgary, AB). Union's returning goaltender, Danielle Kimble (Reston, VA), saw limited ice last season.

"Lundy is going to bring some leadership to the goalie position," said Asano. Assistant Coach Boe added that, "She's very fit. She worked hard this summer. She knows she'll be playing a lot of minutes this season."

Defense has been an integral part of Union's game plan over the past seasons, and Asano feels that while it will remain an area on which the Dutchwomen will focus, she plans on making constant adjustments throughout the season.

"We're working on all aspects of the game," said Asano. "We're figuring out the right mix and would like to work in several forechecks to throw at different teams."

As far as goals for the team, Asano keeps it simple: "Get better every day. Make success. Prove that Union is a place to play hockey."

The Dutchwomen open the new season against Wisconsin at 7 p.m. Friday at Messa Rink. The two teams will face off the following day at 7 p.m. Both games may be heard live on WRUC 89.7-FM and online at www.teamline.cc. For ticket information, please call 518.388.6020.