"I wanted to play with the best," said junior Forward Molly Buehner when asked why she decided to join the Falcon women's hockey team.   "Every year this team gets better and better.   It is nice to be a part of it."

She begins her third year and so far is proving to be an asset to her team.   "Molly is a hard worker. I can always count on her to give 100 percent in practice or in a game," said Falcon Coach Joe Cranston.

It's hard to tell where Buehner's tough work ethic came from. Whether from a supportive family, a determined high school coach, or having to prove herself playing on a boys high school team. Either way her tough attitude is proving to be a benefit for the Falcons.

Buehner's first taste of hockey came in the fifth grade when her family would take her to the USHL's Waterloo Blackhawk games.   "They were always fun to watch," said Buehner.   Both her brother and sister played and her Mom took over as coach of the women's team that was just beginning. "My parents were very supportive, they took us to those 5:30 a.m., practices, were willing to take us to play pond hockey, and were there with us through the good times and the bad."

Buehner's parents were worried about one aspect of her hockey career. "The only reservation my parents have ever had was allowing me to play on the boys high school team. Being from Iowa, there aren't many opportunities to play competitive hockey. I had to take the chance and never looked back."

Buehner proved she could play tough and handle herself playing on the boy's team and eventually earned herself respect from her high school coach.   "He always pushed me to get better, always believed in me, and cared bout me being the hockey player I wanted to be.   He continues to have that role in my life."

Buehner held on to that tough work ethic she learned in high school and used it in her college career. In her first year with the Falcons, she earned herself playing time in every game in the forward position. She also worked hard off the ice and earned a spot on the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll.

Her sophomore year showed the same enthusiasm as she scored her first collegiate goal and had one assist. She continued to make outstanding grades and was named to the NCHA All-Academic team and again to the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll. It was during this year that Buehner marks her favorite memory playing for the Falcons during the conference tournaments. "We had nine forwards and four defenders going into the tourney. In the first round, we went into overtime, almost playing 80 minutes with a small roster. I was able to get a goal and an assist, but the feeling of giving all I had and being successful is the priceless feeling I won't forget. We ended up winning that game and all of that hard work throughout the season paid off."

This year Buehner is continuing to work hard at the forward position even if she's not always on the ice at game time. "She is a role player, and doesn't always get as much ice time as some of the other players, and she still manages to stay positive," said Cranston.

Buehner thinks the season so far is going how she planned. "I knew we would have a good team and we do. Losing a few certain games was kind of surprising, but I have such confidence that we can take the talent that we have and do some damage in the conference tournament and maybe even more."

Molly Buehner