Golden days shine again
BC’s Crowley exults for U.S.
Reverberations were felt on the other side of the world yesterday morning, that much was certain when the United States women’s Olympic hockey team defeated Team Canada, 3-2, when Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson scored in the sixth round of the shootout.
That, and goalie Maddie Rooney turning aside 29 shots to back the gold medal victory.
“Couldn’t get over the boards fast enough. I don’t remember if I went over the boards or out the door. My gloves were off. Just a great moment to celebrate with the girls. So proud of this team,” said U.S. captain Megan Duggan of Danvers. “Cannot put into words this moment. It’s the greatest moment of our lives. It’s the greatest honor of our lives. So proud to be representing the U.S. This team is made of gold and we proved it today.”
Watching intently from halfway across the globe were members of the 1998 team, the only other American women’s squad to strike gold in Nagano, Japan.
BC women’s coach Katie Crowley was a member of those ’98 trailblazers and said the teams from 1998 and 2018 are similar but different.
“The thing that made 1998 so unique is that nobody had ever done it before,” noted Crowley of the first women’s Olympic hockey event. “Nobody knew what to expect. It was the first time in everything that we did and we did it together. Like it was the first time for everyone to walk in the opening ceremonies. It was the first time for everyone to play in their first Olympics. That’s what makes it uniquely different. There are certain players (today) where I could say, yeah, she reminds me of so and so, but, (laughing) I don’t know if they have an Angela (Ruggiero).”
Crowley referred to the four-time Olympic defenseman from Harvard.
“I do think there is more media attention with social media and television,” she said. “Now it’s on a little bit more of a grander scale and everything you do is noted. It’s talked about all the time. Everything is magnified. So in that sense, everything is magnified quite a bit, especially with the (salary) negotiations last year, I should say. That made a splash, too. So, I think it’s all great for women’s hockey.
“It’s so competitive. When they get out there, there’s no time to be friends. At the Canada-U.S. level it’s an all-out battle and you don’t have time be friends with another player on the other team. You’re playing for your country and there’s a lot on the line.”
A few weeks back, David O’Brien, Northeastern’s 1988 men’s hockey captain, was asked what it would mean if the 2018 Huskies could end a 30-year hex in the Beanpot tournament, which they did
O’Brien replied, “if they could win it on Monday night then people could forget about me.” Crowley laughed. “It’s a proud thing to carry but now I’m proud that we have 43 gold medals in women’s across the board,” Crowley said, pointing to the 20 members of the ’98 team and the 23 newest golden girls. “It’s such an exciting time. Our team from ’98 was kind of watching together on television, kind of texting each other, keeping in touch and leading up to the game and through that whole game last night. It brings back such amazing memories and we’re all just so proud that we were able to bring home another gold.”
Five of Crowley’s BC players are among this year’s gold medalists, including former Eagles Em- ily Pfalzer and Haley Skarupa, and current players Cayla Barnes, Kali Flanagan and Megan Keller.
“It’s really cool. So proud of those five. It shows how far our program has come and how hard these kids work day in and day out to get themselves to this level. “It’s really fun,” said Crowley.
Added Keller, “It’s so special to be representing your country with 22 teammates and winning a gold medal. Words can’t describe it.”
BC sophomore forward Caitrin Lonergan, senior defenseman Toni Ann Miano and freshman forward Daryl Watts are among 10 finalists for the 2018 Patty Kazmaier Award, awarded to the top Division 1 women’s college hockey player in the country. The winner will be announced March 17.