Junior Jennifer Wallace is in her third year with the Falcons and her experience at defense, and her flexibility to play forward when needed, has made her able to help her team during almost any situation that arises.

The adjustment from defense to forward is a little out of the norm for Wallace who admits to being a little superstitious.

"I'm a huge head case.   I have rituals I do before games, as soon as I get there I do stick handling with a ball, tape my stick while looking at the ice and thinking about the game and what we practiced, then after we run and stretch I think about the game some more while looking on the ice. I also make sure I'm always in a certain place in line," said Wallace.  

Wallace, from Buffalo, Minn., has adjusted well to her role and has been able to help her team. "Recently we have moved her around a little bit, and she has played some forward to try to help us get more of an offensive punch," said Falcon Coach Joe Cranston

Her pre-game habits seem to be paying off this year, as so far she has contributed three goals and seven assists.   One of her goals came in the 2-1 win over UW-Stevens Point.   She was the first to score in that game at 15:06 of the first period.   Her other two goals came in the Falcons home game against Finlandia, which they won 6-4.   She scored her first goal in the first period at 13:35 and the other one at 19:12 of the third period. "I think Wally is playing pretty well for us this year.   She sees the ice well, and makes good decisions," said Cranston.

Wallace has had a good career so far with the Falcons, she came to the team her freshmen year as a strong defensive player, appearing in 26 games and scoring one goal and one assist.

She really exploded last year when she was named to the CCM American Hockey Coaches Association West All-America team.   She got that honor by scoring seven goals and leading her team in assists with 13.   She also led her team in power-play goals and finished eighth in the NCAA Div. III with six. She also made an appearance on the first All-NCHA team and was the league's Player of the Week on Nov. 8.

After an explosive year like that, Wallace said the pressure to live up to that has increased.   "It's a little harder to live up to expectations, my role has changed so my numbers aren't as big this year.   I've also changed my position to forward so I'm still learning," said Wallace.  

When Wallace decided to play for the Falcons she knew she didn't want to play for a losing team. "I decided to come to River Falls because the teams were doing well and I didn't want to play DI. It was also closer to home so my folks could come to games. The coaches here are also like my ones from high school and I liked that," said Wallace.

According to Wallace, her favorite memory came when her team played with heart. "My favorite memory so far is from last year when we played against Superior in the league playoffs. We only had two or three lines, but we kept trying. We were so dead and it was our last game of the season. Everyone put their heart into it. We left everything out on the ice that game and it was a great way to finish the season." The Falcons topped UWS, 5-4, in overtime.

Jenny Wallace