A slice of sporting life: Haley Parker
by Tyler Aragao
As her teammate drives the net Haley Parker knows exactly where to put the puck.
Coming down the left-wing side of the Jason Ritchie Ice Arena, Parkers zips across a pass right onto the tape of Marissa Massaro’s stick,
(Photo: FPU Athletics)
sending her in all alone against the goaltender. Massaro fired the shot into the net to extend the Ravens lead to 5-0 over the Nichols Bison
It was another dominant showing for Parker and the Ravens, who picked up their 16th win of the season tying last year’s mark with three games remaining. Parker’s career year has been instrumental to the Raven’s success after scoring just 23 points a season ago.
“I think I was more nervous last year coming in as a freshman,” said Parker, who leads the Ravens with 40 points, with 23 being assists. The 40 points in a single season set a new program record for women’s ice hockey. “I didn’t score my first goal until a few games into last year and that I think had an effect,” said Parker.
There was no slow start this year for the young forward who scored four goals through the Ravens’ opening two games against Post. Since then Parker has scored in 24 of the Ravens 29 games this season and has been pointless in just five of them.
With no jitters to hold her back Parker’s true offensive dominance has blossomed this winter.
The Ravens, just ahead by one goal, were pressing late in the second period. The puck was worked to Parker at the middle of the blue line who slung a pass to Bridgette Prentiss who blasted a shot off the post and past the goalie. It was that setup from Parker which helped the Ravens double their lead en route to a blowout victory.
“I enjoy being an unselfish player and I enjoy providing my teammates with opportunities to score,” said Parker. Yet, despite her incredible offensive prowess for Parker, the individual statistics aren’t everything. As her teammates spilled off the bench to celebrate the win, a win that saw five different players score, Parker will take that over any individual achievement. “At the end of the day,” she said, “it’s not about how many points I have but how well the team succeeds.”
