MEN’S CLUB HOCKEY Hoyas Headed To Nationals GU Looks To Win League By Christine Bell Special to The Hoya
Amid all of the hoopla and celebration of Georgetown’s varsity sports teams lies an equally competent but lesser known program: the men’s club hockey team. Officially a club division III level team without scholarship funding, the Hoya hockey squad competes in the Mason-Dixon College Hockey League and is officially represented by team President Chas Dorman, a junior forward on the team. Despite their low visibility, this team is no stranger to success; returning as reigning league champions and having finished sixth in the 2001 Club D-III nationals. According to Dorman, the team has even higher expectations for this year, despite their mediocre start to the 2001-2002 season.
“At the end of the first semester, the season having begun in October, our record was at .500, but since then we have really elevated our game, defeating opponents such as Navy, Maryland, Catholic and Virginia,” Dorman said.
Having won seven of their last eight games, the Hoyas are on a roll and are determined to win their first playoff game this weekend. Led by senior captains Trevor Martin and Charles Carson, the team credits much of its success to the depth and versatility of their players. Between the scoring tandem of Martin and sophomore George Livitis and the defense of Carson and freshman Joe Spitz, the squad can rely on offensive production from basically any one on the ice.
The first-string goalie, Casey Yarger, is currently injured, and his absence on the ice has resulted in increased opponent scoring in recent games. In the final minutes of the Hoyas’ last game, in which they defeated Catholic 5-4, the Cardinals scored three goals in the final three minutes. Dorman and his teammates are hoping that by nationals Yarger will be back in goal.
Although Georgetown has already qualified for nationals, a process in which 12 of 36 eligible teams are selected by college hockey coaches, the Hoyas are now looking to win their upcoming playoff games in order to make a run for their second consecutive league title. This past weekend they clinched a spot in the playoffs by defeating American University on Friday and Johns Hopkins on Saturday night. Dorman attributes these victories to hard work and talent as well as a third key factor: fan support. According to Dorman and Spitz, having fans screaming for the team during the game undoubtedly intensifies their plan. The match against Navy was the greatest testimony to the positive impact of fans, which helped guide the Hoyas to an 8-5 victory.
“It was an unbelievable feeling to have such great fans at the Navy game; to play in front of a screaming crowd is the ideal atmosphere for any game,” Spitz said. Fan support and team consistency are what the Hoyas hope to maintain throughout their road to nationals, which will take place during the first week of arch in Atlanta.
Dorman and his teammates said they are very optimistic for the success of their program and feel they are on their way to the top. “We feel we can skate with any club team in the country. Our team is extremely pleased with the success of the second half of our season and are looking forward to the chance of winning a national club championship,” Dorman said.
