They hit the ice for real for the first time Saturday, October 27 at Wis-Eau Claire. Nevertheless, the Hamline women's hockey team is drawing considerable attention around the country.

The Pipers are rated fourth in the country in the preseason poll for D-III women's hockey teams conducted by USCHO.com. Norwich, the defending national champ, drew the top spot, earning all 15 first place votes. Elmira, who lost the title game to Norwich, is second. Plattsburgh, the team the Pipers defeated in overtime, is the third pick ahead of Hamline. Gustavus Adolphus (7th) and St. Thomas (10th) also made the Top Ten.

In the MIAC coaches poll released October 24, the Gusties and Tommies tied for the top spot with 72 points with the Pipers a close third choice at 70 points. 

Hamline set a slew of individual and team records last year in a 22-5-3 campaign that saw them win their first ever MIAC title. Head coach Natalie Darwitz was the MIAC and USCHO.com Coach of the Year. Bre Simon and Sarah Bobrowski were named All-Americans. 

Lost to graduation are Bobrowski and Darby Dodds, who were 2nd and 3rd respectively, in points last year. But HU returns leading scorer Bre Simon (31 goals, 25 assists). So does Jordan Hansen (17-11) and 11 goal scorers Leah Schwartzman and Becca Zarembinski. Hansen was named to the league's All-Rookie team. Defender Dani Perry, who was an Honorable Mention choice last year, headlines the returnees of on the blue line. 

McKenna Hulslander, who forged a 14-3-1 record in goal last year, is back. There are nine new faces on Darwitz's roster for this season. 

For the second season in a row, HU opens with a road game against the Blugolds. The Pipers then head to Wisconsin-Superior on October 30 and open MIAC play November 8 against St. Benedict in St. Cloud. The TRIA rink home opener is also the MIAC home opener on November 9, also against the Bennies. 

To see the USCHO.com poll, click here. 

To see the MIAC coaches preseason poll, click here.