First-year forward Carolyn Draayer leads the MIAC with nine goals. Photo courtesy of Sport PiX.
Carolyn Draayer – November Female Student-Athlete of the Month – First-year, Hockey
The Gustavus women’s hockey team started its 2011-12 campaign with an undefeated 6-0-0 overall record and 4-0-0 mark in the MIAC during the month of November. The success of the team has come through a combination of veteran leadership and newcomers making an impression, and the latter couldn’t be truer for first-year forward Carolyn Draayer. For her outstanding performance on the ice throughout the first month of the season, the Office of Sports Information has named Draayer Female Student-Athlete of the Month for November.
The Deephaven, Minn. native became the first player in Gustavus women’s hockey history to score a goal in each of the first six games of the season after scoring a MIAC-leading nine goals with two assists for 11 points. Draayer also leads the conference in game-winning goals with three and freshman scoring, averaging 1.83 points per game.
“Carolyn is very deserving of the recognition,” Head coach Mike Carroll said. “Obviously, her stats speak for themselves, but she’s probably been one of the top kids that I’ve ever coached that’s been able to come right out of high school and contribute in all facets of the game as quick as she has. She kills penalties for us, she’s good on face offs and she’s one of the hardest workers in practice. She just gets it. And usually there’s that learning curve, and if she’s going through a learning curve I can’t wait for what’s ahead.”
Draayer made a splash early in the season with consecutive two-goal games to start her collegiate career. She tallied three points in the season-opening 7-1 win over Concordia University and followed that with two goals the next day in an 8-1 victory over St. Norbert College. The first-year forward scored a goal in each of the ensuing three games and concluded the month with her third multi-goal performance in a 3-2 win at St. Thomas.
Draayer wins a face off against Bethel. Photo courtesy of Sport PiX.
Basic math would suggest the more shots taken results in more goals, and although Draayer has taken the third most shots on the team, she’s made the most of those opportunities. Draayer has converted on .391-percent (9-23) of her shots, which is second best on the team and third in the MIAC among players with at least three shots.
The Gusties are ranked No. 7 in the nation according to the latest United States College Hockey Online (USCHO.com) poll and will put their undefeated record on the line this weekend with the regular season series against Augsburg. Friday, Gustavus will travel to Minneapolis for a 7:00 p.m. face off and on Saturday the Gusties will play host at Don Roberts Ice Rink at 2:00 p.m.