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INSIDER : Williamson : We’ve Got Something Great Going for Us

09/25/2015, 1:45pm EDT
By Colton Cadarette

Elon’s First Home Game of the Season this Saturday at the SportsPlex

Hitting the ice at 11:30 P.M. for practice and conditioning in the off season isn’t any small commitment. But the athletes on the Elon Hockey team aren’t newbies to this regimen, nor are they about to let a few late nights and exhausting workouts stand in the way of their success. “I have been playing hockey since I was able to walk, said Griffin Wolno, a junior and the president of the hockey club. “I have been extremely fortunate to play at a high level throughout my hockey career. I take a lot of pride in this team.”

This season the club team has one of the deepest benches in school history. This is due in no small part to the hard work put in behind the scenes by the coaching staff and student athletes. “Given another strong recruiting year for Elon and almost all players returning from last season save but a few, I expect Elon to continue to work it's way up the ranks in the ACCHL,” Head Coach Paul Cormier said.

The team has set high standards for what they expect out of the season and atop that list is making a run at a championship.  As a team the Phoenix are eager to begin that quest. “Our team goal is to win the league championship and be the first ACCHL team to go to the regional championships and hopefully make it to nationals,” Wolno said. Off-ice conditioning began in September and has continued with on-ice practices once the lines were set. The Phoenix opened the season on the road facing UNC Charlotte and UNC Wilmington.

The quest for a title continues this Saturday, September 26 at home during Family Weekend, at the Triangle Sportsplex in Hillsborough, N.C. at 9:15 P.M. against NC State. Elon University hosts its annual Family Weekend and the team looks forward to a large welcoming crowd. Sophomore Matt Williamson knows this and looks forward to the challenge that lays ahead. “NC State is a strong team and they always have been and being a sophomore, I’m familiar with their playing style as are my other teammates,” Williamson said. “I feel prepared. There’s no doubt about that. Yes, it’s early in the season, however this is going to be a good test for us.

“Physically, mentally and even emotionally, this Saturday is going to be a tough one,” Williamson said. “we can compete and personally as a forward, I just have to play my part on the team. If everybody does their part, we’ll come out with the dub [win].”

Without a doubt, the players aren’t the only ones excited for a fruitful year. Parents and members of the community have been chiming in with words of encouragement on the team’s social media.

Without a doubt the team has a strong year ahead of them.“These guys are more than just hockey players and we’re more than just a club,” Williamson said. “We’re a family. We watch out for each other and we give positive vibes to each other, and we all care about each other. This year and years to come, we’ve got something great going for us.”

Want to learn more about how you can get involved? Visit www.elonhockey.com and follow the team on Twitter and Facebook for live game updates as well as team outings. GO PHOENIX!

Tag(s): Elon