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Seniors Michelle Lombardi and Jess Wilson - the last remaining members of what was an eight-player freshman class for BC women's ice hockey in 2003-2004 - have just about seen it all in their four seasons at the Heights.
"We had a pretty big freshmen class - if you asked me freshman year which of us would still be here, I wouldn't have said us two," says Lombardi. "But we've been through it all together and it's nice to have someone else there, who knew what it was like freshman year when we were horrible, and was on the team as we grew. It's nice to have that shared experience with someone."
"When I chose to come to BC … it wasn't for the hockey program, let's put it that way," continued Lombardi. That year the Eagles went 7-23-3.
But in their four years under the tutelage of coach Tom Mutch, Lombardi and Wilson have helped lead the team to unprecedented accomplishment.
Now, with their college hockey careers waning, they have one last chance to win a Hockey East title and make the national tournament.
Lombardi, of Milton, Mass., is a fourth-line left winger on this year's Eagles. She has 12 goals and 13 assists on her career. Wilson, a defender from Guilford, Conn., has a goal and two assists.
But their teammates will tell you that their contributions far exceed what you see on the score sheet. Lombardi serves as co-captain with junior Deb Spillane, and Wilson also is revered on the team as a leader.
"They are really the unsung heroes because they work so hard and have the respect of everyone on the team," says freshman forward Megan Keever, who added that the two have served as role models for her during her first year at college.
"Being such a young team this year, it is has been unbelievable to have seniors to look up to like [Wilson] and [Lombardi]," says goalie Molly Schaus of the seniors. "They have been great leaders and role models both on and off the ice, always setting the bar high and leading by example. Away from hockey they are just great friends to be around and they will be tough skates to fill."
"They have done a great job over the past four years helping to build the program. They were on the team when the team didn't get much attention and they've worked really hard to help pave the way for our team now and in the future," says Spillane.
Lombardi credits the players who came before her for helping her develop her leadership qualities.
"Last year, Nancy Gillis, Sarah Courtney and Alison Quandt were unbelievable leaders. It was hard to lead a young team. They showed me how you have to feel for your teammates."
Wilson says that it takes a special mindset to lead such a young team.
"You have to adjust depending on how the season's going. When we are winning, we have to continue to play well everyday in practice and carry it to the games. When we are losing, we have to support and bring the team together so we can get back to our winning ways," said Wilson.
"Trying to get everyone focused on the same goal, and on the same page is the biggest challenge," says Lombardi.
"Especially this year with [all the freshmen] - as we saw after we beat Harvard, then we had a letdown, [losing 3-2] against UConn at home."
Both agree that their proudest moment in four years at BC came this year in winning the team's second consecutive Beanpot title.
"It was great - we were the underdogs," says Lombardi. "It was a big win last year, too, but this second one meant a lot more to me because it was the last one."
"It was awesome to beat Harvard when they had all of their Olympians back," Wilson added.
(Last year, Harvard had three players in Italy playing at the Olympics during the Beanpot.)
"And then, to beat BU in the final to win our second Beanpot [was special.]"
Now, these veteran Eagles are looking to go out with a bang.
"We wrote down our goals before the season," saywws Lombardi.
"We wanted to win Hockey East and make the national tournament. But we also won't just be satisfied with that. I want my last game to be a win."
Wilson, however, is quick to add that the team will not lose focus on the task at hand: "We're all focused on Providence right now. We'll think about everything else later."
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