SCHENECTADY, NY -- The Union College women's ice hockey team will drop the puck on the 2010-2011 season on Saturday as the Dutchwomen face-off against Northeastern at 3 pm. UnionAthletics.com features Live Stats and Live Video of the contest.

The Dutchwomen look to improve with a young but maturing squad. Coach Claudia Asano enters her fourth season at the helm and is ready for the season that lies ahead.

"Our goal is to make the playoffs," Asano said. "That means our goal is to finish in eighth place or better in the league."

In the 12-team ECAC Hockey Conference a team must finish eighth or better in order to make the postseason for that given year. Despite finishing in 12th place last season, Asano thinks that the close team chemistry mixed with the fusion of new talented freshman could have playoff results by the end of the year.

Leadership will come from both the bench and the ice, as Asano will look to veteran players as well as assistant coaches to give guidance.

"We have four seniors that will take the reins out on the ice and help guide us during the game," she said. "Marissa (Gentile) is in her second year as a captain so leadership will come second nature to her, while Perri Maduri will also lead as a senior captain."

The other two seniors are seasoned veterans Elsa Perushek and Callee Heywood. Perushek looks to get back on the ice and help lead the team after suffering a season-ending injury in 2009-10. Heywood looks to continue where she left off, finishing the previous season with six points (3G, 3A).

To help Asano in the quest for the playoffs, both a familiar face and a new addition will join in the coaching efforts. Ali Boe is in her fourth season with the squad while Julie Chu was just added to the staff this summer.

"Ali has been around for awhile and knows how to develop the players," Asano said. "Julie has a great background in hockey and has played at the highest levels which will come in handy when the season is in full-swing."

After losing just one senior from the 2009-2010 season, the Union team chemistry should be well-balanced. The team breaks down with four seniors, nine juniors, five sophomores and five freshmen. It is a team stacked with veteran players that are ready to make the dive into the postseason and will use the skill of the younger players to capture that goal.

"The older players have already brought the freshmen under their wing, and we have most of our players back from last season so chemistry is at a high level," Asano said.

There are older players like junior Lauren Hoffman that led the team in points last year with nine. Tied for second on the team with eight points were junior classmates Lauren Cromartie and #Molly Kate Devin,# along with Gentile. Gentile knows how to score, but is a playmaker on the ice, finishing second on the team with six assists last season.

Junior forward Emilie Arseneault and sophomore forward Rihanna Kurio were tied with seven points last year and will look to lead incoming freshmen forwards #Mac Purvis, Elsa Bruestle and Stefanie Thomson.# On defense the Dutchwomen bring in two new faces, #Ashley Johnston and Maddy Norton.# All five freshmen will look to earn playing time and know just what to do to catch Coach Asano's eye.

"We look for people that are hardworking, have good skill and want to work as a team," said Asano. "All of our players do this which makes it an easy team to coach."

In goal there is sophomore Alana Marcinko and junior Kate Gallagher. Marcinko played in 26 games last season, stopping 757 shots for a .908 save percentage. Gallagher received 12 games in the net, saving 288 shots for a .911 save percentage.

All the returning players, new talent and team chemistry should spell success for the Dutchwomen, but Coach Asano won't let her team get ahead of themselves.

"Our goal is to obviously make the playoffs but you have to take it in smaller steps," she said. "Each game will provide its own goals and if we take it one game at a time we should be able to accomplish our season goal." 

Northeastern was 17-9-7 last season with the 17 wins being their most since 2001-2002.  They finished in fourth place in the Hockey East Conference. The Huskies open their season at Syracuse Friday night at 7pm.