Athlete of the Week: Chelsea Laden

Athlete of the Week: Chelsea Laden

By Ben Dias, QBSN Staff Writer

This week’s QBSN Athlete of the Week honors are awarded to Chelsea Laden (Lakeville, Minn.) of the women’s ice hockey team.

The freshman goaltender made her second start of her young season and proved ready when needed.  Laden did not disappoint in a non-conference matchup against number four ranked Boston College Eagles. Laden has made the most of her opportunities in net by proving herself that she can be a force in the cage when called upon. Laden’s composure between the pipes was at the core of her first career victory against the Eagles.

Quinnipiac’s late-game heroics by Amanda Colin (Burnsville, Minn.) and Kelly Babstock (Mississauga, Ontario) may have never occurred if not for the stellar play of Laden.

Laden was phenomenal between in net as she stopped 33-of-34 shots on goal and single handedly kept the Bobcats in the game by making game-saving stops and stifling the Eagles’ offense.

Head coach Rick Seeley made the decision to start Laden against the Eagles and had confidence in her to perform well.

“We knew she was a great goalie when we recruited her,” Seeley said. “It was just a question of her getting comfortable at this level, knowing she belongs and tonight she proved that. We want to have two goalies going well the second half down the stretch. I think [Victoria] Vigilanti is starting to play better, and Laden was solid all night. It took three rebounds for them to get one past her [Laden].”

Overall, the freshman has seen action in three games this season, making two starts, and has compiled a .920 save percentage to go along with a 2.97 goals against average.

Laden faced a flurry of shots from the Eagles fast-paced offense. Boston College held a 34-18 shot advantage over the course of the game. Laden denied 14 shots in the first period and five more in the second. The Eagles kept the pressure on in the third and Laden was up for the challenge saving 13-of-14 in the third period and the only one she faced in overtime. Laden denied all four of Boston College’s power-play opportunities as well.

It was a great effort by Laden to hold such a gifted offensive team without a goal throughout the first 58 minutes and eventually earn the win in overtime.

“It was exciting, the defense played amazing,” Laden said. “When I gave a rebound up, which I gave many there was always someone there to pick up a stick and get the rebound out of the way.”

Earning her first career win, Laden has confidence going forward to help the Bobcats whenever her number is called.

“This game it was a great start but I have a lot of things to work on. It’s a good first full game that I played and there are a lot of things I can improve on and I’m looking forward to getting a chance to play again,” said Laden.

Because of her performance, Laden was awarded her first ever Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week honors.

Laden hopes to get another chance and continue her stellar play between the pipes and provide the Bobcats with another quality goaltender in net. The Bobcats will look to Laden down the stretch run in ECAC competition and hope to replicate her performance in net when she gets the call again.