University of Connecticut Athletics
Natalie Snodrass Using Team USA Experience to Fuel Big Season
11/23/2019 2:11:00 PM | Women's Ice Hockey
The UConn women's hockey team is off to a great start this season, posting a 7-4-1 record through the first 12 games, including a big 5-2 win over a then-No. 5 ranked Boston College team. Junior forward Natalie Snodgrass has been a major reason for the Huskies' success so far.
With seven goals and eight assists for a team-leading 15 points, it's safe to say Snodgrass is the catalyst of this team. She's scored at least once in each of the team's last four games, leading them to a 3-0-1 record in that span.
In addition to being the top player for UConn, Snodgrass also had the opportunity to play for Team USA this past summer in the Under-22 Series against Canada at Lake Placid, New York.
"Every time I have an opportunity to play for Team USA or to try out, it's a huge honor," Snodgrass said. "Wearing that jersey, every time I put it on I get chills. I love every time I get the chance to be with those girls because being surrounded by the best players in the country is an honor."
Snodgrass is a Team USA veteran at this point, having participated in multiple Under-18 events prior to coming to UConn, including two Women's World Championships. She also took part in the 2018 Under-22 Series.
This year, she was a major contributor, scoring a goal in both the team's wins in the three-game series. She said the confidence she gained from being there so many times before helped her find success on that stage.
"I think my first year as a U-18, I was so timid and so scared of the international play," Snodgrass said. "Then, going into this year having all that experience under my belt, it's more comfortable and it allows me to calm down and play better. I saw that this summer."
Snodgrass was the only UConn player on Team USA's roster, but there was plenty of other Hockey East talent from BC, Northeastern and Providence. Snodgrass said it's cool getting to compete with players she's used to playing against.
"It's always funny the first couple of days when we catch up about games and rivalries," Snodgrass said. "It's funny because we can be enemies at our respective schools, but coming back [together] it's all fun and games."
It's really no surprise that Snodgrass is among the best women's hockey players in the country. She grew up in a hockey family with a sister Emily who played at UConn a few years ago and a brother John who currently plays at Colgate.
She said as the youngest sibling, she was forced into the game basically when she was born. Many of her early childhood memories are based around playing hockey with her siblings. She credits them as a key part of her career's success.
Having a familiarity with the school and the coaches through her sister led Snodgrass to choose to play her college hockey at UConn, where she made a huge impact right away. In her freshman season, she led the team in both goals (21) and points (38). She accomplished the same feat in her second year, and this season, she's on pace to do it yet again.
Snodgrass credits her work with Team USA in helping her improve her game by giving her the confidence she needs to succeed.
"Playing for Team USA is a confidence boost for me," she said. "If I can do that, I can bring back what I learned at Team USA to UConn. So having that high standard of myself, I expect myself to continue that here."
That is exactly what Snodgrass has done this season. She's off to red-hot start and continues to build on the success she has achieved throughout her time at UConn, even with some bumps in the road.
"I think that last year, I kind of had a slow start point-wise," Snodgrass said. "I knew that I lacked confidence and I was getting frustrated a lot with myself. This year, it's kind of opposite, which I'm really happy about. I just have a much better attitude about this season."
Aside from herself, Snodgrass said the team just feels different this year. They have some new talent and a grittier play style than in her previous seasons.
"We've struggled in the past with just grinding out dirty goals, and I think you see in Vermont and Maine this past weekend, that's the only kind of goals we scored, " Snodgrass said. "We're definitely improving in grittiness, and I think that's how you win games in this league."
Snodgrass said she had a special feeling about this team prior to the season and she knows they can go far. If Snodgrass continues to play at her Team USA level, there's no reason they can't.
