Spring Break
The Daily OrangeWHOC | Freshman Mullan finds niche
By Tony Olivero
Posted: 2/12/09, 4:21 AM EST Section: Sports
"She is a major contributor, and her size and strength brings a lot to the game," Leone said. "Lisa sets up a lot of plays, she is one of the best players out there, because she works hard off the ice, always doing the little things."
Mullan's laid-back, nonchalant mentality on and off the ice stems from her relatively low expectations at the start of the year.
"I wasn't expecting as big of a role as I have now," Mullan said. "I was expecting to be watching a little bit more, but I'm really grateful that I have this role."
It's a role that Mullan truly cherishes, especially considering some of the situations that several of her high school teammates are in.
"I guess the mentality that I have had this year comes from the fact that a lot of my friends from back home are watching the game from the bench," Mullan said. "Just seeing all of my old teammates not contributing makes me thankful for what I have."
But despite whatever expectations Mullan might have had entering the season, she quickly had to adjust them as Flanagan has used her in every situation imaginable.
"She is one of the first ones I call on in special situations, like the five-on-three, or back in the point on the power play," Flanagan said.
And with six games remaining before the program's first College Hockey of American conference playoff appearance, Flanagan feels that in order for Mullan to truly break through, she will need to be cognizant of her own abilities.
"Maybe it's about her recognizing truly how good she can be," Flanagan said. "But for a player as modest and reserved as her, it may be harder than it appears."
aolivero@syr.edu
Mullan's laid-back, nonchalant mentality on and off the ice stems from her relatively low expectations at the start of the year.
"I wasn't expecting as big of a role as I have now," Mullan said. "I was expecting to be watching a little bit more, but I'm really grateful that I have this role."
It's a role that Mullan truly cherishes, especially considering some of the situations that several of her high school teammates are in.
"I guess the mentality that I have had this year comes from the fact that a lot of my friends from back home are watching the game from the bench," Mullan said. "Just seeing all of my old teammates not contributing makes me thankful for what I have."
But despite whatever expectations Mullan might have had entering the season, she quickly had to adjust them as Flanagan has used her in every situation imaginable.
"She is one of the first ones I call on in special situations, like the five-on-three, or back in the point on the power play," Flanagan said.
And with six games remaining before the program's first College Hockey of American conference playoff appearance, Flanagan feels that in order for Mullan to truly break through, she will need to be cognizant of her own abilities.
"Maybe it's about her recognizing truly how good she can be," Flanagan said. "But for a player as modest and reserved as her, it may be harder than it appears."
aolivero@syr.edu
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