California Rubber

California’s and Nevada’s Authoritative Voice of Ice and Inline Hockey

Two former Lady Ducks help Clarkson capture NCAA championship

 

Clarkson University’s run to a second consecutive women’s NCAA championship last month came with the help of former Anaheim Lady Ducks standouts Tia Stoddard and Katie Beaumier.

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“The whole experience was phenomenal,” said Stoddard, a freshman who started playing for the Lady Ducks at 10U. “The playoff push was the most exciting part, winning the ECAC tournament and then the NCAA tournament.”

Beaumier, a sophomore, said the team’s off-ice approach had plenty to do with its on-ice success.

“Our team chemistry was phenomenal – there was no drama, no hierarchy,” she said. “We all understood the roles we contributed to the team.

Stoddard said she wouldn’t trade her Lady Ducks experiences for anything.

“I loved it there and I love all the friends I made,” she said. “We had so much fun at tournaments, whether Nationals or otherwise. But every day was fun, getting to the rink and catching up.

Kathy (McGarrigle, the Lady Ducks program director and multi-team coach) fostered that environment. She is a great coach, on and off the ice.”

Stoddard played in 20 games as a freshman, recording five points, including two goals. She said the exposure to scouts and the college game that she gained through the Lady Ducks was invaluable.

“We went to Nationals every year I played for the Lady Ducks, and that is packed with scouts,” said Stoddard, who is majoring in Biomolecular Science. “Playing in those tournaments also helped with the transition to college.”

That is also why Beaumier left home in Washington and billeted for three seasons in Orange County. She played a season of 16U AAA and another at 19U AAA with the Lady Ducks.

“The year before I came down was the first year I played with girls, and I had a desire to play at a more elite level than AA,” the Chemical Engineering major said. “I was driven toward schools with my major, but the Lady Ducks coaches encouraged me to keep my options open.”

Photo/Jim Meagher

— Chris Bayee

(April 23, 2018)

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