Article courtesy of Kat Hasenauer Cornetta of The Boston Globe
In East Boston, a women's college hockey powerhouse is emerging. But unless you're a regular at the Louis E. Porrazzo Memorial Skating Rink, you might not know about it, or the high-scoring forward leading the way.
Only in its fourth season, Suffolk University's women's hockey team is currently 16-3-0 overall and 11-2-0 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference, and the Rams leading scorer, Shana Cote, is a large reason why. Her 32 points (17 goals, 15 assists) points lead the team, the league, is tops in New England and ranks among the top 10 of Division 3 players nationwide.
Cote has played 81 career games. Suffolk has played 81 games as a program. Cote has scored 85 career points, which accounts for 25 percent of the program's all-time points. To say Cote has jump-started Suffolk hockey would not be an understatement, but the low-key forward isn't one to brag.
"I think I'm a hard worker and I always try to get the puck and get it to my teammates," the native of Broomfield, Colo., said of her success.
Cote was drawn to Suffolk by its location and head coach Taylor Wasylk, a former Boston College standout who was named Suffolk's first-ever head coach of its women's ice hockey program in 2016. Wasylk convinced Cote to make the leap and help establish a new program.
"The way she reached out to me made me want to come out here," said Cote. "It made me feel like I would have a place here."
Suffolk plays its home games at Porrazzo Rink, which it shares with youth and adult hockey teams and a broomball league. During their pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season, the Rams only were able to play eight games and host three, with two coming against rival Endicott. This season, the teams have dueled for the top spot in the CCC, with Endicott (14-4-1 overall, 12-2-1 conference) leading the league standings. Suffolk split its weekend series at Endicott two weeks ago, winning the opener, 4-3, on Jan. 29 before dropping the finale, 3-2, on Jan. 31. Cote believed it was a clear indication of what the Rams were capable of doing.
"We can beat them," said Cote. "We obviously have to work for it, but we can beat them."
Suffolk hosts Endicott Feb. 18 on senior night. After that, the Rams will set their focus on making a postseason run. Thanks to a fifth year of eligibility, Cote still has time to help Suffolk achieve conference and national postseason success with this year's crew..
"Our goal is to win our conference and playoffs, and then go as far as we can," Cote said.