August 2, 2007 at 8:12 a.m.
Grossman stars at UWSP
Grossman stars at UWSP
Nicole Grossmann scored an overtime shorthanded goal as UW-Stevens Point won the NCAA Division III women's hockey third place game for the second straight year with a 4-3 win over Amherst (Mass.) on Saturday, March 17, 2007 in Plattsburgh, N.Y.
The goal was Grossmann's school record fifth shorthanded score of the year and gave the Pointers their fifth 20-win season in the past six years with a 20-7-2 final record. It also marked the fourth time UW-Stevens Point has ended the season with a victory in its seven-year varsity history.
"I can't explain the feeling'" said Grossmann. "Scoring that shorthanded goal in overtime was a total head rush. That's one of the top goals I've scored in my life and the only really big one so far at Stevens Point." Grossmann's teammates, coaches and fans would likely disagree with the last point. During her freshman season, she scored or assisted on game-winning or game-tying goals against UW-Superior, Finlandia, Lake Forest, St. Catherine and UW Eau Claire.
She followed that up this past season with big goals or assists against St. Thomas, UW-Eau Claire, UW-River Falls and UW-Superior. During her high school career, Grossmann lettered six times in hockey and four times in soccer. Grossmann earned NCHA player of the week honors once her freshman season and twice this past season. She was also named all-conference this past season.
Grossmann, the daughter of Doug and Kathy Grossmann of Lindstrom, plans to major in communications, with an emphasis on public relations. After graduation, she hopes to work for a sports-related company. She'd also like to come back to the Chisago Lakes area to coach and, as she put it, "give something back to the community."
Her summer break can't really be described as a vacation. She's working full-time, training for next season and playing pickup hockey in Edina in order to stay sharp. College hockey is a year-round pursuit for Grossmann. The team starts dryland training early in September. They start officially practicing in early October and play games and practice from November through March.
They also participate in offseason conditioning programs in the spring. "It's hard work, but it's worth it," said Grossmann. "We've made it to the national championship bracket the past two years."
The Pointers flourished this season despite a coaching change. Brian Idalski resigned as head coach after Grossmann's freshman year to take an assistant coaching position at Division I St. Cloud State. But Ann Ninnemann, an assistant coach and former Pointer player, coached the Pointers on an interim basis to their second straight Frozen Four appearance. Ninnemann was rewarded with the permanent position as a result.
Grossmann is excited about the Pointers' upcoming season. "We should be real strong again," she said. "Even though we lost a great goalie to graduation, we've got a strong group of returning upperclassmen. They're a hardworking crew and we have a great coach who pushes us hard to accomplish our goals. We don't really think about all the hard work because of the success and fun we've had."
Grossmann is the first person from Chisago Lakes High School to play hockey at Stevens Point. She keeps in touch with her high school coaches, Al Magnuson and Jason Mahlen, by e-mail during the season and runs into them occasionally during the summer. "I've made a whole bunch of great friends at Stevens Point," said Grossmann. "I love it there."
We asked Grossmann what advice she would have for young women aspiring to play college hockey. "If you're serious about it," she said, "keep working hard. Sometimes a Division I scholarship may not be the ticket. But if it's something you really want to do, someone at the college level will notice you and you'll have a chance to have a great experience like I've had."
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