January 21, 2010
Union Quietly Moving Up
by Matthew Ruffini/CHN Reporter
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January 21, 2010
by Matthew Ruffini/CHN Reporter
It was only three seasons ago that Union was in the basement of the ECAC, and with only the hope of one day making it to the top of the conference. So despite attempts to downplay it, Union's rise to first place in the ECAC is quite significant.
For the players that were freshmen in that 2006-07 campaign, the next three years were a growing period that has helped turn the program into a formidable one in the ECAC, now and hopefully into the future.
Every team’s goal at the beginning of the season is to win its conference and earn a place in the NCAA tournament. But for the Dutchmen, that goal appeared more realistic this year than the past. Under coach Nate Leaman, who is now in his seventh season, the Dutchmen have steadily improved to the point where this year, a run at the conference championship is expected.
“It’s never been done before so it would be great to be the first," senior forward Jason Walters said. "My freshman year we were in last and it’s been amazing to see how far we’ve come. It would be great to cap it off with an ECAC championship.”
Union, a Division III institution in upstate New York, came into Division I in 1991, replacing Army in the ECAC. Attempts to build the program have often been thwarted by an administration seemingly, at times, disinterested in competing at the highest level.
But Leaman has fought his way through that, finally getting minor concessions along the way, and built a solid unit. Last year, Union finally won an ECAC playoff series. This year, the Dutchmen would love nothing more than to make the ECAC final four, something it has never done, with its tantalizing location in nearby Albany. This will be the final chance at that, before the tournament moves to Atlantic City next season.
“It would be amazing, we have a small school and it’s a testament to our coaches and the job they do in recruiting the right players and preparing us for each game that we are in this position,” Milan said.
Not only that, but Union is currently seventh in the Pairwise, the system that picks the NCAA tournament field, thanks to some solid non-league wins. That means Union would be an at-large selection to the NCAAs if the season ended today, its first appearance as a D-I team.
One of the main reasons that Leaman believes that this Dutchmen squad is ready for a run at the title is the growth and improvement he has seen from his seniors.
“As freshmen a lot was put on them and they all have developed nicely into their senior year,” Leaman said.
Coming into this season the team had set certain goals, and with the strong play in the first half of the season the Dutchmen are in a position to reach them. But Leaman knows there are still plenty of games left, and keeping his players grounded will be important.
“Our goal this year was to crack the top four (in the league)," Leaman said. "We’re in the back third of the season now and all of these games are huge. If we manage our highs and lows well we should reach our goals.”
Milan also feels that his teammates and himself included put aside personal goals and has put the team first, and that has translated to more wins.
“My sophomore year I had more personal goals, this year my goals were team orientated," Milan said. "We want to win the ECAC and make it to the (NCAA) tournament.”
The Dutchmen have had a solid offensive attack all season, with the seniors leading the way. Three out of the top four scoring leaders for Union are seniors.
“We are a bit older this year and we have a deeper squad compared to previous seasons," said Walters, who is second on the team in scoring with 26 points. "We have great leadership which is great because we never panic when we are down in a game.”
Union currently sits in first place in the ECAC because of their dominance over conference opponents. Overall, the Dutchmen are 13-4-5, but in the ECAC they have yet to lose a game (7-0-3).
“We have been able to win close games and our penalty kill in league play has been great," Leaman said. "We have a very mature group of guys who don’t panic when we’re in tough situations.”
Said Walters, “Our coaching staff does a great job of getting us prepared every night and we know what we have to do to be successful against each team. We have four strong lines and two great goalies that always give us a chance.”
Along with a solid penalty kill, the Dutchmen also have two solid goalies, who have been competing with each other for the top spot. In 11 games, Milan has posted a 2.07 GAA and .916 save percentage. Meanwhile, freshman Keith Kinkaid has a record of 7-2-2 in 12 games.
“Coming into the season with three freshmen defenders I knew we would have to get solid play from our goalies," Leaman said. "We have improved in net tremendously from last year, and as a coach, it’s great to have depth at the goalie position.”
For the first time, Union is the hunted. It will make for a very interesting stretch run.
“I love the second half of the season because starting in January every game is a conference game, so it’s like the playoffs start in January,” Walters said.
Union begins that quest by hosting Harvard and Dartmouth this weekend.
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