The three Division III college women’s hockey teams in the state are off to good starts with the Bowdoin College women enjoying life as the nation’s No.-2 ranked Division III team.

The defending NESCAC champion Polar Bears are 6-0-1; Colby College’s Mules are 4-3 and the University of Southern Maine’s Huskies are 6-4.

Not only are the Polar Bears unbeaten, reinforcements are on the way.

“We have three players who studied abroad this semester and they’ll join us on Dec. 30,” said coach Michelle Amidon referring to defenseman Kirsten Larson and forwards Jen Pelkey and Jess Burke.

Bowdoin made it to the NCAA Tournament semifinals a year ago and finished 23-5-1.

But Amidon said, “This is definitely the best team I’ve had here in my seven years. We have a lot of depth for the first time in a while. I think we’re properly ranked. But there’s a lot of hockey left.”

The Polar Bears have 10 players with five or more points led Marissa O’Neil (7 goals, 7 assists), Shelly Chessie (5 & 8), Nicki Young (3 & 7) and defenseman Kirsti Anderson (2 & 8). Young will be out six to eight weeks with a broken hand.

“Kirsti is our best player and she’ll be going to the USA Top 40 tryout camp in Lake Placid after Christmas,” said Amidon.

Chessie and Anderson had 50 and 31-point seasons a year ago, respectively.

The other catalyst has been senior goalie Emily McKissock and her 0.76 goals-against average and .949 save percentage.

Cumberland’s Kelsey Wilcox has been an effective “grinder” for the Polar Bears according to Amidon.

USM coach Dave Venditti has a young team “that has progressively gotten better.

“I’m very happy with their work ethic,” said Venditti. “They play our systems well, they’re disciplined and they play hard for the whole game.”

Holly Manning, who had 18 goals and 27 points to lead the team to the ECAC Division III playoffs last year, has picked up where she left off with 11 & 4 so far this season.

Amy Matuewezski (6 & 9) and South Portland’s Courtney Rideout (4 & 5) are the other leading scorers and goalie Karen Jamnik (1.91 GAA, .915 save percentage) has been solid.

Old Town sophomore Rachael Wollstadt and Penobscot junior Jeanna Leclerc have been contributors along with Winslow freshman Heather Kornmann and Hebron senior Heather Aube.

“Rachael played field hockey and got a late start but she has picked the systems up well and has gotten off to a strong start,” said Venditti. “We’ve moved Jeanna back and forth between defense and forward. She has a good shot and sees the game very well. Heather Aube is a very smart and solid defenseman who can also supply some offense and bring some offense and Heather Kornmann has been slowed by injuries but has a very strong work ethic.”

Jennifer Holsten’s Colby College Mules have been led by Heather DeVito (8 & 4), Kate Sweeney (3 & 7), Michel Barmash (3 & 4) and defenseman Lauren Gremelspacher (2 & 4).

Lynn Hasday and Sarah Webster have both seen significant action between the pipes.

Oakland defenseman Kristin Putnam and Yarmouth forward Sara Goodrich have given the Mules some quality minutes.

Colby football duo earn honors

Colby College sophomore running back Aaron Stepka, who led NCAA Division III in rushing with a school-record 1370 yards on 293 carries, was chosen a Hewlett-Packard All-American third-teamer.

He was also a Football Gazette Division III All-East Region first-teamer while teammate Mike Moran, a senior linebacker who led the team in tackles with 65 including 10 for loss, was a third team pick.