Photos courtesy of Jenny Yu ’24 (left) and Anneke Craig ’22 (right).
Left: Mount Holyoke Club Ice Hockey plays at Fitzpatrick Ice Arena on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Right: Mount Holyoke Club Fencing welcomes interested new members to join the team this semester.
By Emily Tarinelli ’25
Sports Editor
Club Corner is a new biweekly column dedicated to highlighting Mount Holyoke College club sports. This week, Club Corner spotlighted Ice Hockey and Fencing.
Ice Hockey
Answers by Abby Mann ’24, captain
1. Describe ice hockey in three words. Fast, thrilling and fun.
2. What are the basics of ice hockey? It’s a contact sport in which players — on ice skates and wearing protective gear — use sticks to push a round, flat-sided “puck” on ice, trying to score points by getting the puck into the other team’s goal. Each team has five players and one goalkeeper on the ice at a time. It’s a total blast!
3. When and where do you practice? We practice in the Kendall [Sports & Dance Complex Field House] on Thursdays and at Fitzpatrick Ice Arena in Holyoke on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
4. What is your favorite team memory? My first game — we lost horribly, but no one cared. Everyone was joking and high-fiving the whole time. Even though we lost, I had a great time because no one made it about winning. We play every game that way and it’s awesome.
5. Tell me about your coach. Coach Tom [Cardosi] is all about creating an atmosphere where everyone feels safe and supported and has a good time. His “Rule One” is to always have fun, and he teaches the team to skate and play with that in mind.
6. What’s the best part about ice hockey? Playing a sport on ice skates is so fun, and our team is full of fantastic people.
7. If you had to pick a song to describe ice hockey, what would it be? Jokingly, … “Livin[g] the Dream (Junior Hockey Anthem)” by Chucky Slick –– our team loves this song.
8. Who would ice hockey be perfect for? Anyone who wants a chance to get on the ice [and] try something new.
9. How can someone join the team? We have a website you can visit! It pops up first if you type “MHC club ice hockey” into the search bar. There, you can find information about how to join. Shoot an email to the captains if you’re interested.
10. Anything else to add? Our website also has our game schedule! Even if you’re not interested in joining, you can always come support us in the [fan] section at a home game in Holyoke. Also, follow us on Instagram @mhcicehockey and stay tuned for open skate events.
Fencing
Answers by Willow Gumpel-Jones ’24, captain
1. Describe fencing in three words. En garde, prêt, allez.
2. What are the basics of fencing? Fencing is a combat sport [with] three different weapons that each have a distinct set of rules, target area and personality types [that] they attract. It’s modern-day sword fighting that’s all about technique and good form.
3. When and where do you practice? Monday through Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m. in [Kendall Sports & Dance Complex] gym.
4. What is your favorite team memory? We play ultimate frisbee as a warmup every practice, and it gets so intense — it’s so awesome.
5. Tell me about your coach. Our coach, [Dianna McMenamin], is really great with beginning fencers and getting them comfortable with the sport. She has so many fun stories — you should ask her to tell [you] some!
6. What’s the best part about fencing? Fencing is all about problem solving mixed with skills, so for me, learning your opponent’s patterns and tricking them into a hit is the most satisfying thing in the world.
7. If you had to pick a song to describe fencing, what would it be? “Cut Self Not” by Faraquet.
8. Who would fencing be perfect for? Fencing is perfect for those with attention to detail [and] anyone who is competitive and compassionate. … If holding a sword sounds fun to you, come check it out!
9. How can someone join the team? Contact anyone on the board! We are so enthusiastic about inviting new people to the team. [Find] our posters around campus or visit our [team] Instagram page, [@mhc_fencing].
10. Anything else to add? If you haven’t heard it yet from absolutely every member of the team, you should join the fencing team!
Editor’s Note: Sophie Soloway ’23 and Jenny Yu ’24 are members of Mount Holyoke Ice Hockey.