WHS team is made up of five seniors and four juniors
By Kyle Mayhugh
Williston Herald
The depth is starting to fill in for the Williston High girls hockey team, which opens its season on Tuesday night hosting Minot at 7 p.m. The team will feature five seniors, four juniors and a pair of veteran goalies as they fight to make the playoffs again this season.
"This year, we have three lines that we feel comfortable we can throw," said coach Mikaela Rehak. "In the past, we've only had two lines, but this year we feel comfortable with who we have. We have some quick players, that will be a key for us."
The Coyotes hope to introduce a more aggressive scheme this year, attacking the puck more in all parts of the ice.
"I think the biggest we're trying to do this year is win one-on-one battles, we're going to try to play a little more aggressive hockey, rushing to the puck," Rehak said.
"We're going to be a much better hustle team, and we're going to run our systems very fluidly," said assistant coach Mat Ekblad.
Senior Katie Slemin will be the top returning scorer for the Coyotes. Slemin had 10 goals and six assists last season, second on the team in goals and points. Joining her up front will be seniors Lauren Lutz and Sami Monson, junior Megan Fee, sophomore Jocci Walz, freshmen Sarah Pippin, Kayla Buck and Helene Pippin, and eighth-graders Amanda Nelson and Morgan Watterson.
Buck had seven goals last year, Fee had five and Walz four. Each will be a threat to score this season as well.
Senior Randi Gustafson will be among the anchors on defense. She was the teams leading backline scorer with five goals and 10 assists last season. Joining her will be senior Halee Erickson, juniors Paige Hatzenbiler and Megan Wenstad, freshman Kourtney Jeffrey and eighth-grader Sam Miller.
"We just need to come together as a team," Gustafson said.
A pair of veteran goalies return for the Coyotes in junior Megan Moen and freshman Kinsey McCaughtry, who is returning for her third straight season as the starting goalie for the Coyotes.
Last season, the team finished 9-11 in the regular season and earned the seventh seed in the state tournament.
Williston roster
No. Name Yr. Pos. Ht.
1 Megan Moen 11 Goalie 5-2
2 Sarah Pippin 9 Forward 5-9
3 Halee Erickson 12 Defense 5-7
4 Kayla Buck 9 Forward 5-5
5 Randi Gustafson 12 Defense 5-2
6 Lauren Lutz 12 Forward 5-8
7 Megan Fee 11 Forward 5-9
8 Sami Monson 12 Forward 5-4
9 Sam Miller 8 Defense 5-9
11 Meagan Wenstad 11 Defense 5-6
12 Amanda Nelson 8 Forward 5-2
15 Jocci Walz 10 Forward 5-5
16 Katie Slemin 12 Forward 5-7
17 Morgan Watterson 8 Forward 5-7
18 Kourtney Jeffrey 9 Defense 5-9
19 Paige Hatzenbiler 11 Defense 5-7
20 Helene Pippin 9 Forward 5-9
30 Kinsey McCaughtry 9 Goalie 5-3
Williston schedule
Nov. 21 Scrimmage
Nov. 24 vs. Minot, 7 p.m.
Dec. 4 vs. Fargo South, 7 p.m.
Dec. 5 vs. West Fargo, 2 p.m.
Dec. 11 at Bismarck, 7 p.m.
Dec. 15 vs. Sidney, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 18 vs. Grand Forks, 7 p.m.
Dec. 19 vs. Devils Lake, 1 p.m.
Dec. 22 vs. Bismarck, 7 p.m.
Jan. 9 at Dickinson, 3 p.m.
Jan. 15 at Fargo North, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 16 at Mandan, 2 p.m.
Jan. 22 at Jamestown, 7 p.m.
Jan. 23 at West Fargo, 2 p.m.
Jan. 29 at Grand Forks, 7 p.m.
Jan. 30 at Devils Lake, 2:45 p.m.
Feb. 4 at Minot, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 6 vs. Jamestown, 2:30 p.m.
Feb. 12 vs. Fargo North, 7 p.m.
Feb. 13 vs. Bottineau, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 16 vs. Dickinson, 7 p.m.
Feb. 19 vs. Mandan, 7 p.m.
Feb. 25-27 State tournament at Grand Forks
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