Hamilton women’s hockey (12–6–2 overall, 6–4–2 NESCAC), good for third in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), had an undefeated weekend thanks in part to Gab Venne ’22, a first-year goaltender from Greely, O.N. After Venne’s two NESCAC wins against Bowdoin College (3–16–1 overall, 2–10 NESCAC) at home in the Sage Ice Rink, she is now 4–1–1 in her career between the pipes at Hamilton.
The Spectator
had the privilege of speaking with Venne and talking about the team and season.
Before the Weekend
Spectator
: How has your first-year campaign been thus far?
Venne
: My [first] season has been going pretty well, I had a rough start because I had mono and I was coming back from hip surgery so I played my first game at the start of January. I hadn’t played in nine months so that was quite the experience. And I was able to get my first victory and my first shutout in the same weekend so I was very happy and everything has been going pretty well since then.
S
: When I say “Hamilton women’s hockey” what is the first thing that pops into your head?
V
: The first thing that pops into my head when you say ‘Hamilton women’s hockey’ is a team sport; it’s all about teamwork. Actually… hockey? Ice. Ice is my answer.
S
: Who is the funniest member of your team and why?
V
: That is a very tough question to answer… Well, I could name you one funny person per [class year] if that helps? So as for the first years, I would say Mya [Berretta ’22] is a very, very funny person. She started this trend where she wears game day socks and she has a different pair for every game day. Sophomore class, I would have to say is Bobo [Madie Baloga ’21]. I am roommates with her on away trips and I really have just been able to get to know her and her sense of humor and I just really think she has some funny jokes. The funniest junior I have to say is Alayna [Trice ’20]. Alayna has this different voice that she uses that is a little more childish and very funny. And the funniest senior I would have to say is Olivia [Hawes ’19]. No questions asked.
S
: Favorite part of the team?
V
: I think my favorite part of being a part of this team is just how close we got over Christmas break and how you can always count on somebody on the team and never be left alone.
S
: I’m looking for some insight into a net minder’s head. What goes on in there? How do you keep your composure throughout the three periods?
V
: Well, first off, even before playing a game, the mental side of being a goalie is very important because there are four of us, as you know, and there’s only one of us that plays in a game so if you don’t play a game, you have to have a tough exterior. [You have to] keep on pushing yourself in practice and never give up and cover everything and act like practice is a game. [From] there, during the game, you just have to give it your all. It’s all or nothing… If things go wrong I will try and talk to my team and hype them up.
S
: Do you have any game day or just regular superstitions? If so, where did they come from?
V
: Personally, I don’t really have that many superstitions. One thing is that I will always tie my left skate before my right skate, but I’m just not a superstitious person. Honestly it’s all about having fun and enjoying what you’re doing.
S
: The NESCAC is one of the most competitive conferences in all of Division III, how have you handled the level of competition thus far? How has the team been stacking up against other league foes?
V
: That’s a tough question… I feel like the NESCAC is a goalie-based game just because any game can go any way and it all depends on who the goalie is. You never know what to expect in the NESCAC games we just have to really make sure we give our all and everyone has to be ready at all times.
After the Weekend
On the ice last weekend, The Continentals won both games. Venne helped with the 2–0 win against Bowdoin on Friday, Feb. 1, and earned her second career shutout. She had another solid showing on Saturday, Feb. 2, making 26 saves including a couple of crucial ones down the stretch to help earn the team win.
S:
Friday night you were locked in, making 33 saves–a career high–and posting a shutout in the NESCAC victory. Was there any specific preparation or people in the stands that pushed you to have the performance that you did?
V
: I didn’t do anything specific, but I feel like I tend to do better if I just have fun out there. Mostly, giving it my all!
S
: With two crucial NESCAC wins this weekend, what is next for the team? What can we expect from you and the team as we get closer to the postseason
V:
Moving forward, with our team being third in the [NESCAC] standings right now, we just want to stay up there and be able to go into every game with as much energy as we had this weekend to try and have a home playoff game.
The Hamilton women’s hockey team’s next games are Friday, Feb. 8 at 7:00 PM and Saturday, Feb. 9. Both games are at home in the Russell Sage Ice Rink against Amherst College (9–9–2 overall, 5–5–2 NESCAC). With two wins against Amherst, Hamilton would tie for first place in the NESCAC.
