The Lancer women's hockey team is eager and hungry for the start of the OUA regular season. The Lancers kick-off the 2016-17 season this Thursday night when they host the Western Mustangs at 7:30pm at South Windsor Arena.
 
Windsor is coming off a rough 2015-16 season that saw them miss a spot in the OUA post season for the first time in seven years.
 
With a majority of the roster returning, the 2016-17 edition of the Blue & Gold are an experienced squad that will use the ups and downs of last season as stepping stones in a very difficult and tight OUA conference.
 
On offense, the Lancers boast the top three leading scorers in the OUA. Fifth year forwards Erinn Noseworthy and Shawna Lesperance, and third year dual-sport athlete Krystin Lawrence are all back and looking to once again dominate the OUA leader board.   Fellow fifth year forward Jillian Rops continues to provide an unmatched commitment to winning and a wealth of experience that will help lead the Lancers back into the post season.
 
Defensively, head coach Jim Hunter will rely on fifth year Natalie Barette and third year Rachel Chantler to anchor the blue line. Last season Barette finished fourth overall in team scoring, while Chantler was a staple in Coach Hunter's defensive plan as just a sophomore with the team. Transfer Jasmine Morning will also add some experience on the blue line after playing her freshman year at Mount Allison University in 2014-15.
 
Head Coach Jim Hunter has a positive outlook and has high expectations for the season. "With 95% of our roster returning, including the top three scorers in the league last season, we have a great opportunity to improve on our finish from last year and once again qualify for the post season."
 
Hoping to add some additional depth to Windsor's defense are newcomers Molly Jenkins and Morgan Farrow in net. Jenkins, a London, Ontario native, joins the Lancers after a solid career with the London Junior Devilettes, while Farrow comes to Windsor from the Ontario Hockey Academy.
 
The gate on Thursday night opens at 6:30pm and fans can still purchase season tickets either online at www.goLancers.ca/tickets or at the gate on Thursday night. The puck is scheduled to drop at 7:30pm and can be seen live on www.oua.tv.