It was all about Loomis Chaffee last season.
The Pelicans lost just twice in the regular season, nabbing the No. 2 seed in the Elite 8. They ran the table, toppling No. 5 Phillips Andover, 5-3, in the championship to finish 25-2-1.
"Last year, we really came together well," coach Liz Leyden said. "It was a group that was just so committed to playing as a team, playing our best together and (we) consistently had kids who had the overall team success as their greatest priority."
It marked the school's first NEPSAC title since 1989.
Although Loomis graduated some foundational pieces, a large core is back. They're in a strong position to defend their title.
"We have 17 returners. They have the blueprint," Leyden said. "They know what we did last year, how hard they have to work every day and how to hold each other accountable."
So, what will it take for the Pelicans to repeat?
An elite 1-2 punch down the middle
Few can match the high-end skill that Loomis returns this season, led by reigning Elite 8 MVP and NEPSAC Player of the Year Lindsay Stepnowski (South Glastonbury, Conn.).
The Harvard commit was second in prep with 44 points and tied for the second-most goals (25) last season. She scored seven points (six goals) in just three postseason contests.
PREP PREVIEWS: Nobles | Exeter | Cushing | Tabor | Groton | New Hampton | Andover | Dexter Southfield | BB&N | Williston Northampton
This year will be a new challenge for Stepnowski, though, after linemates Chloe Obser and Ellie Lachance (West Hartford, Conn.) graduated.
"They were a line for most of two years," Leyden said. "Playing with new players is going to be one thing. ... For Lindsay, it's about staying true to who she is. She leads by example every day, and has really high standards for herself and everyone else. As she continues to focus on things she can control, I'm excited for the type of season she'll have."
Also back to lead the forwards is Yale commit Annie Schwarz (Fairfield, Conn.), who broke out with 37 points (11 goals) last season. Her 26 assists were the fourth most in prep.
"The role that Annie has played for us has been incredible," Leyden said. "Her ability through all 200 feet is something that's pretty unique."
With Schwarz and Stepnowski, Leyden has the chance to roll a lethal one-two punch down the middle or put the two together when needed. It will create headaches for opposing defenses trying to match up with the Pelicans.
"When you have such strength down the middle, it doesn't matter who's out there," Leyden said. "It makes playing against us really hard. That's our goal."
Strength on the blue line and in net (again)
Entering last season, much of the focus was on the Pelicans' deep blue line, rightfully so. Their 31 goals against were the second-fewest in prep.
That remains the case once again, even after graduating Catie Collins (South Burlington, Vt.).
"We have a really strong 'D' core. ... It'll be a new challenge for all of them," Leyden said. "Our 'D' are all mobile, they're confident with the puck and they like to get involved in the offense. Those pieces are huge."
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Back to lead the way are Penn State commit Megan Hosman and Cornell commit Carly Dann (Hanover, N.H.).
Hosman had 28 points (eight goals) on the blue line, while Dann had 12 (two goals). Fellow senior Hattie Willard, a Wesleyan commit, will play a key role again as well.
"We want to make it hard for other teams to play against us," Leyden said. "We want it to be, when they're in the offensive zone, we're not giving them a lot of time and space, and we're able to transition quickly. The type of 'D' we have should allow us to really have that be the hallmark of our team."
What certainly helps is continuity in the crease as the Pelicans return senior Williams commit Adeline Roper (Kennebunkport, Maine) and sophomore Emily Hosman.
"Adeline and Emily are both really strong goalies," Leyden said. "They compete. They're really good friends and have a working relationship."
Roper posted a .949 save percentage in her first season as the starter. She was nails in the postseason with a .942 save percentage across three contests. Hosman could push her after posting a .957 marker in a smaller sample.
"Adeline was obviously the kid that was in the net down the stretch, and Emily's right there," Leyden said. "I'm excited about having that. It makes a big difference in terms of confidence going into games and in practice every day. Our players have to shoot against really good goalies, and that makes everybody better."
More opportunities for the supporting cast
Leyden is eager to see how several other skaters can make a bigger impact this season.
Juniors Lizzie Orszulak (Longmeadow, Mass.) and Alexine Beaulieu (Hudson, N.H.), an RPI commit, will see increased opportunity on the blue line. The same goes for sophomore Mia Lynch.
Beaulieu had five points (two goals) after coming over from Tilton. Orszulak and Lynch each notched a pair of assists.
"Alexine and Lizzie were a pair together last year. Being juniors this year, they just have that much more confidence and poise," Leyden said. "Mia was our only freshman last year. She's now got a year under her belt. She's smooth-skating and does some really special things with the puck."
WOMEN’S RECRUITING: 2007 commitments | 2008 commitments | 2009 commitments
Up front, junior Easton Pramuka is poised to be a major factor. She improved on a solid freshman season with a 15-point (eight-goal) sophomore year. Junior Brooke Murphy has a clean bill of health, too, after injuries hampered her sophomore season. She still managed to post five points (three goals).
"For Easton, it's continuing to be the player she is and do the things she does exceptionally well," Leyden said. "She's a tenacious forechecker who causes all sorts of turnovers."
Senior Elle Pagliaro and sophomore Julia Stepnowski (South Glastonbury, Conn.) could also see bigger minutes. Playing on the third line last season, the two combined for some big-time moments in the playoffs, including goals for Pagliaro in the quarterfinals and semis.
Rallying around an injured teammate
Loomis will be without one of its most important pieces of its supporting cast, senior forward Bella Zolezzi.
The Assumption commit was in line for a strong final act after scoring 13 points (eight goals) last winter, including two goals in the championship.
But she injured her spinal cord in a collision along the boards during a game with the 19U Mid Fairfield Stars at the New England Sports Center in September, sustaining a broken C6 vertebrae in her neck.
Her absence will leave a big hole in the Pelican's top six.
But Zolezzi is back at school and walking. Most importantly, she's expected to make a full recovery.
"I've never seen someone so determined and so positive with the type of injury she has," Leyden said. "Her leadership and her presence for our team will continue to be really positive and help us out."
While the frightening injury was a jarring blow for the Pelicans, Zolezzi's teammates have rallied around her positive spirit.
"I think this notion of appreciating every day, not taking things for granted and really valuing our time together ... that injury really helped bring a lot of our girls together in support of Bella," Leyden said. "That's just who she is. She is such an incredible person, and the way that she's handled this injury, I think everybody has recognized, is really unique and special."
