The Daily Cardinal skates to the blue line and attempts to hone its defensive skills and learn a wicked slap shot with UW women's hockey player Kerry Weiland.
Weiland is a junior defenseman from Palmer, Ala.
What does it mean for you to be a captain of this year's team?
It's more of a responsibility, knowing people look to me more for leadership, and I have to lead by example. Basically, it's just more responsibility, more weight on my shoulders.
What are the personal goals you've set this season?
For me personally, I try to make sure the team gets along and that there is good team chemistry. Personally, as personal goals go, I just go out and play.
What are some team goals you've set this year?
We actually haven't gone over any specific team goals. It's just to play to our potential every weekend and improve. Also to be peaking at the end of the season.
What was it like playing against the national team?
It was very exciting to play for the [Western Collegiate Hockey Association] team. All the stars were there, all the best players in the league. Just to go in there and play a game was exciting. We've played with them a lot in camps. It was a lot of fun.
You've played a lot of international competition. How is international play different from WCHA play?
It's just a step higher. The players over there have more muscle, stuff like that. When you play on the national team it's just a step higher.
After starting the season so well, is there a pressure to keep winning every night?
I think there is that, especially since we have so much potential and we do have a lot of expectations placed on us. We just want to keep on improving every weekend. There are a lot of things we know that we can keep improving on.
Are there adjustments the team can make to keep on climbing in the standings?
I think the main thing is finishing the second game. We have had a few blowouts the last couple of weekends on the first night and came back to tie the team. So I think a little more focus and a little more intensity in the second game so that we come out with four points instead of two.
How do you envision the rest of the season playing out?
Well I think every team is going to be a battle, every weekend we'll have to battle. I think we'll keep improving and have a great time. The season is going to be awesome.
