ORONO – The Guy Perron era will begin this weekend when the first-year coach leads his University of Maine women’s hockey team to Burlington, Vt., for a series on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The 38-year-old former Maine men’s assistant coach must replace workhorse goalie Lara Smart and two of the top three scorers off last year’s 12-16-4 team – Meagan Aarts and Karen Droog, who combined for 231 career points.

But Perron and his players are optimistic.

“Right now, we’re adjusting to a new coach and new players. But, in a while, I think we’re going to be really good,” said senior center Cheryl White, who will miss the weekend series with a broken hand. “Guy is awesome. We’ve learned so much already. It’s just a matter of putting all the systems together and figuring things out.”

Replacing Smart, who played in 30 of 32 games last season, will be Perron’s major area of concern.

Sophomore Rachel Gettings appeared in only two games a year ago and Jayme Wilmann is a freshman.

“How far we go will depend on the blue crease,” conceded Perron. “We have some offensive weapons and defensive skills. Both goalies have looked good.”

Senior center Tristan Desmet said goaltending won’t be a huge issue “because we have confidence in all the other areas of the ice.”

White said there might be an adjustment period at first, “but I think they can both get the job done. They’re going to make the saves they’ll need to make.”

Junior defenseman Morgan Janusc pointed out that the defense corps returns virtually intact “and the newcomers look pretty good,” so the goalies will be well protected.

Janusc, currently sidelined by a stress fracture, had a goal and 11 assists a year ago and headlines the list of returning defensemen along with seniors Laura Maddin (2 & 5) and Emily Stevens (0 & 2) and sophomores Kelly Law (2 & 7) and Karine Senecal (0 & 2).

Stevens will join the team at the conclusion of the women’s soccer season, and Janusc said she hopes to be back by the end of the month.

Augusta freshman Jessica Leclerc provides depth on defense along with freshman Jenna Cowan, who can also play forward.

Up front, Perron feels his Bears will have more balanced scoring. Desmet (12 & 11) is the top returning scorer followed by sophomore left wing Sonia Corriveau (10 & 3) and White (3 & 9). Sophomore right wing Kate Sunstrum (7 & 3), sophomore center Brigitte Laflamme (3 & 7), and senior LW Andrea Steranko (3 & 4) also had productive seasons.

The Steranko-Desmet-Sunstrom line will provide Perron with a veteran scoring unit while Manhattanville College (N.Y.) transfer Amy Quirion will play right wing on a line with Corriveau and Laflamme.

“[Quirion’s] a wonderful addition to the team. Those three work so well together. They’re fun to watch,” said White.

There will be an all-freshman checking line featuring Sheri Wauters between LW Danielle Tangredi and RW Abby Krause.

“That’s the best checking line we’ve had in a long time,” said Desmet.

Sabattus’ Julie Lizotte, a freshman, will also vie for playing time up front.

Perron, who was hired after seven-year head coach Rick Filighera’s contract wasn’t renewed, has been happy with what he has seen so far.

“I’m very pleased with the commitment our women have put in,” said Perron, a two-time captain of the Black Bears. “They’re eager to start. They’ve worked hard the last three weeks. We’ve learned some things and, hopefully, we’ll be able to put it all together as quickly as possible to be successful.”

UMaine Women’s Ice Hockey

2004-05 Schedule

October

15 – at Vermont, 7 p.m.

16 – at Vermont, 7 p.m.

29 – Brown, 7 p.m.

30 – St. Jerome (exhibition), 7 p.m.

31 – St. Jerome (exhibition), 2 p.m.

November

6 – Wayne State, 11 a.m.

7 – Wayne State, 10 a.m.

13 – Boston College, 1 p.m.

14 – Boston College, 1 p.m.

20 – Providence, 2 p.m.

21 – Providence, 2 p.m.

27 – at Colgate, 1 p.m.

28 – at Colgate, 1 p.m.

December

3 – at Northeastern, 7 p.m.

4 – at Northeastern, 3 p.m.

11 – Quinnipiac, 1 p.m.

12 – Quinnipiac, 1 p.m.

January

1 – Yale, noon

7 – Sacred Heart, 4 p.m.

8 – Sacred Heart, noon

14 – at New Hampshire, 7 p.m.

15 – at New Hampshire, 2 p.m.

21 – at Connecticut, 7 p.m.

22 – at Connecticut, 4 p.m.

February

5 – at Providence, 2 p.m.

6 – at Providence, 2 p.m.

12 – New Hampshire, 1 p.m.

13 – New Hampshire, 1 p.m.

18 – Northeastern, 4 p.m.

19 – Northeastern, noon

26 – at Boston College, 4 p.m.

27 – at Boston College, 1 p.m.

March

4 – Connecticut, 4 p.m.

5 – Connecticut, noon