STEVENS POINT, Wis.- The UW-Stevens Point women's hockey team is excited to have a full schedule this year after last year's shortened conference slate. The Pointers finished third in the conference last season with a record of 3-6-1.
 
"It's thrilling to be back," said head coach Ann Ninnemann. "Last year gave us an opportunity to reflect and really appreciate what we are able to do year after year after year."
 
Returning in the net for the Pointers are senior Olivia Schultz (Maplewood, Minn./Tartan), who was named to the All-Conference first team last season, and sophomore Shayna Grais (Lincolnwood, Ill./Niles West). Schultz has been a major presence in goal for the last few seasons and the team is excited to have her as a backbone in the net.  She won all three games last season and has 12 victories in her career.  Grais saw action in two games a season ago making one save and not allowing a goal against.
 
"It will be a battle between the two," said Ninnemann. "Whoever is giving us the best opportunity to win is going to be in the net."
 
This year's defense is looking at a solid start with many young defenders joining the team. Returners Anna Cheney (New Brighton, Minn./Irondale), Haley Sellers (Kenosha, Wis./Milwaukee Jr. Admirals), Lauren Wincentsen (Wausau, Wis./West) and Kayla Stumo (Ham Lake, Minn./Blaine) will be joined by transfer Bella Moskonas (Greenfield, Wis.), who Ninnemann said will contribute to the team right away. Also joining the defense is freshman Soile Doyle (Hayward, Wis. /Hayward).
 
On offense, the team is looking to not be as reliant on one line. Five freshmen have joined the team and are helping to add more depth to the team's five lines this season.
 
Returning for the Pointers on offense is senior all-conference skater, Nicole Neuberger (Minnetrista, Minn./Orono), who was the leading scorer for the team last season with four goals.  Annika Horman (Appleton, Wis./North) was second on the team with three goals last season.
 
Also returning for the Pointers on offense are Mary Kremer (Sussex, Wis./Arrowhead Warhawks), Dani Heitsman (Janesville, Wis./Rock County Fury), Maike Zipp (Fond du Lac, Wis./Fond du Lac), Ashtyn Wiltscheck (Sleepy Eye, Minn./New Ulm), Gina Magro (Tower Lakes, Ill./Barrington), Laina Berthiaume (South Haven, Minn./Hutchinson), Sara Aadalen (Wayzata, Minn./Wayzata) and Ali Granovsky (St. Paul, Minn./Roseville).  Aadalen tied for the team-lead with five points.  Heitsman, Zipp and Berthiaume all found the back of the net a year ago.
 
"I am excited to see what the sophomores have to offer as they grow into their own this year on offense," said Ninnemann.
 
Joining the team on offense are freshmen Courtney Leising (Maple Grove, Minn. /Maple Grove), Katie Stanius (Forest Lake, Minn./Forest Lake), Lindsey McLean (Delafield, Wis./Kettle Moraine), Molly Millar (Anchorage, Alaska/East), Ryan Ruoho (Madison, Wis./James Madison Memorial) and Francesca Carrubba (Mountain View, Cali./NAHA). Leising and Stanius have already added a lot of depth to the offense for the Pointers.
 
 "The work ethic is there," said Ninnemann. "The time and commitment are all there and I'm excited to see them grow throughout the season."
 
The team will have a full schedule this year starting with non-conference match ups right away. These games will be used to build up the confidence of the offense, solidify the defense, and work out any kinks with special teams.
 
In November, the team is home for five consecutive games, including two conference matchups against UW-River Falls and UW-Superior. The Pointers are excited to have fans back at Ice Hawks Arena and get some wins early on in the season.
 
UWSP opens up the season with a set of non-conference matchups at St. Olaf College on October 29 and 30. The first home game for the Pointers will be on November 5 against St. Scholastica. Puck is set to drop at 7:00 p.m. at Ice Hawks Arena.