Posted on Feb 12, 2003

Five years ago Fred Quistgard came to Union to head a women's hockey team that was in its final season as a club sport. The Dutchwomen struggled during their first two seasons in the ECAC's Division III league, winning just five of 36 league games and only seven of 47 overall contests. Union finished its first two years in the ECAC ranked 14th of 18 and 17th of 19, respectively.

The 2001-02 campaign, Coach Quistgard's third recruited class, made great strides as the Dutchwomen won a program-best eight games, finishing sixth in the ECAC at 8-9-1 and completing a very competitive overall season at 8-16-2. Among their victories was a 1-0 decision over local rival Rensselaer.

With two regular-season games remaining on this year's schedule, the 2002-03 Dutchwomen have not only established a Union record for wins in a season with their 11-11-1 overall record, their 10-7-1 ECAC standard assures the Garnet of their first-ever winning season within the league.

One of the reasons for the Dutchwomen's success over the last two seasons is the influx of young talent that Coach Quistgard has brought to campus. The 2001-02 roster included 14 freshman among the 23 players. In what was a bit of a surprise to those people outside the team's locker room, Quistgard named two of those rookies, forward Courtney Riepenhoff and defender Jamie Laubisch, as assistant captains. A year later, to no one's surprise, the two sophomores, along with senior Molly Semler, have provided the leadership for this year's record-setting team.

“Jamie and Courtney bring passion, enthusiasm and dedication to their leadership role,” said Quistgard. “Those were qualities I saw when I recruited them and those were qualities I was counting on when they were named assistant captains during their freshman season.

“They both have certainly lived up to and continue to live up to my expectations,” he continued. “They work hard on the ice and off-ice with their training. Both players share Union's vision of a winning, elite women's ice hockey program, and take an active role in shaping its future.”

Both women brought extensive hockey experience to the Union campus. Laubisch played for USA Hockey Midget I National Champion, Syracuse Stars while Riepenhoff played varsity ice hockey, soccer and softball at Choate-Rosemary Hall, played hockey for the Princeton Tiger Lillies and NJ Colonials, and was selected to USA Hockey's Atlantic District Select 30 and New England “Top 6” camps.

Courtney's first season on the ice saw her finish as the Dutchwomen's fourth-leading scorer with seven goals and eight assists, including the game-winner against Salve Regina. Jamie, meanwhile, was named to ECAC East's seven-member All-Rookie Team (along with teammate Liz Flanagan) after finishing as the Garnet's sixth-leading scorer with four goals and six assists. She also scored game-winning goal against Salve Regina as Union swept the series, 5-0 and 3-2.

With a year of college hockey experience under their respective belts, Riepenhoff and Laubisch have increased their point production while leading Union's charge in the victory column. Through 22 games, Courtney is second on the Dutchwomen's scoring chart with 31 points, which includes a team-high 19 goals. Her three game-winning goals is one behind Molly Flanagan. Laubisch, who has produced two goals, nine assists, and 11 points, is a main reason why Union's opponents have scored an average of .489 fewer goals per game this season than last.

“They give 100 percent of themselves in games and practices and are caring, friendly teammates off the ice,” said Quistgard. “I respect, admire and trust them as great ambassadors of our program. Their personalities have helped to blend a lot of unique personalities into one cohesive and focused team.”

Both women point to the close-knit relationships that have formed among the players as the main reason that the Dutchwomen have been successful this season.

“This team is very unique in that we not only have chemistry on the ice, but off the ice as well,” explained Ripenhoff. “Although we are all very different, we are still a close group who seem to manage to have fun in whatever we do, whether it be at practice, in games, or just hanging around watching movies together.”

“Everyone has a special place on the team and everyone is essential to our success,” said Laubisch. “At the college level the intensity rises, but as a young team it is hard to rise to the challenge and overcome all the little growing pains. We have done it though and shown more heart that you can imagine. We came back against New England College when we wre down by two goals with about two minutes left and went on to win in overtime. Then, we came out strong against RIT and had two great wins. Everyone rose to the occasion. It was a weekend when we really showed what we are made of.”

While coach Quistgard is happy of what his two sophomore captains have produced on the ice, he is equally as proud of what the two women are doing off of the ice.

“Since arriving at Union in 2001, both Jamie and Courtney have made their mark academically, athletically and in their contributions to campus life,” he said. “Both have been Dean's List level students and they typify many of the amazing young women on our hockey team who immerse themselves in all that Union has to offer.

“Jamie sings for the Garnet Minstrels, serves on several campus life committees and is a member of a sorority, all while excelling in a Pre-Med academic curriculum. Courtney is active as a tour guide for the admissions department, is a member of a sorority, and assists Jamie as women's ice hockey's representatives on the Student-Athlete Committee.”

Jamie, who is a chemistry and Spanish major, loves working with children and is a therapy aid for an Autistic child. Enrolled in the Eight-Year med program, she is very interested in Spanish and hopes to practice abroad somewhere as part of her career as a pediatrician. A member of the Gamma-Phi Beta Sorority, she plans on going to China this summer to learn about Traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as doing a term abroad in Mexico next spring.

Courtney, who is a psychology major with a minor in English, is a member of the Gatekeeper Society, Safe Space, and the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. She is interested in pursuing a law career.

Though only about halfway through their college experience, Courtney and Jamie both have already gained some treasured memories.

“Winning our games against RIT was incredible,” said Jamie. “It felt to good to prove what we are really made of and to see each teammate rise to the challenge in order to win our last home games for our seniors.”

Courtney couldn't agree with her classmate more, “One of the best memories I have of our team took place just two weeks ago when we defeated number two-ranked RIT,” she said. “Not only did we win, but we won convincingly (by a score of 6-2 and the next day the Dutchwomen completed the sweep, 3-2).

“We were relentless throughout the game. I saw our team truly come alive. I can't even describe the feeling I had watching my teammates and playing in the game myself. Everyone just seemed to click. Players stepped up and took the initiative, and once we started to play, it looked as if there was no turning back. The game ended appropriately with a goal trickling across the goal line with just one second left.

“Shaking hands with the opposing team and seeing the tears in their eyes, and the anger in their coach, reaffirmed the pride I have for our team.