The Buffalo Beauts had a really acquainted face within the lineup when the workforce flew to Minnesota for a pair of video games towards the Whitecaps. Former defender Sarah Casorso – an Isobel Cup champion and a Beaut from 2016-17 into 2018-19 – signed knowledgeable tryout supply to rejoin the workforce for not less than the weekend of Jan. 11 and 12.
Sarah Casorso’s skilled tryout with the Beauts introduced her to Minnesota for Buffalo’s highway video games towards the Whitecaps on Jan. 11 and 12 (Photograph Credit score: Collin Nawrocki).
“I had been actually lacking hockey,” mentioned Casorso, “and was retaining the door open for alternatives that may permit me to play once more with some flexibility. However greater than that, I missed the workforce expertise. I had heard nothing however nice issues in regards to the camaraderie the Beauts have this 12 months and I used to be wanting to be part of the enjoyable!”
With Buffalo battling accidents they wanted to carry aboard both a top-four defender or a top-six ahead earlier than hitting the highway. Together with each video games in Minnesota, six of the Beauts’ closing eight video games are away contests. Acquiring a seasoned blueliner like Casorso – hopefully for the lengthy haul – is a blessing.
“Sarah is a stable defenseman and a cultured skilled,” mentioned Beauts Basic Supervisor Mandy Cronin. “She was an awesome addition to our roster, and we hope we are going to get to have her with us extra sooner or later.”
Attending to Skate With Previous Associates
Though the Beauts have a really totally different look to them this season as in comparison with earlier ones, Casorso nonetheless had the chance to reconnect with some “previous buddies”.
Buffalo captain Corinne Buie and goaltender Kelsey Neumann had been teammates with Casorso in 2016-17 when the workforce received the Isobel Cup. The season after that, all three could be joined by Beauts sniper Taylor Accursi. Casorso, Buie and Accursi had been all members of final season’s 2018-19 Buffalo squad.
Sarah Casorso seen right here in warm-ups earlier than the Buffalo Beauts recreation towards the Minnesota Whitecaps on Jan. 11, 2020. (Collin Nawrocki)
“It was considerably surreal however such a blast,” Casorso mentioned about being reunited with the three veterans. “It was nice to have some acquainted faces within the dressing room. It undoubtedly helped make me really feel extra comfy and assured figuring out there have been a couple of folks there that know my enjoying fashion and persona.”
Casorso’s totals from her earlier three seasons in Buffalo got here to 42 video games performed and 18 assists for 18 factors within the common season. The one purpose that she has scored for Buffalo was an exciting extra time game-winner within the 2018 semi-finals towards the Boston Delight.
Working With the Youthful Beauts
Buffalo has a really younger roster. Not together with the three gamers we already talked about, the one Beauts with earlier skilled expertise are goaltender Mariah Fujimagari (CWHL), ahead Brooke Stacey (SDHL), and defender Meg Delay (CWHL). The remaining 16 gamers on the roster are all rookies.
A confirmed participant like Casorso – and a frontrunner in her personal proper – solely additional enhances the information and the gelling of the youthful bunch. She was simply as enthused over attending to know the Beauts rookies as she was for seeing her previous teammates.
“No different phrase however a delight,” mentioned Casorso. “The ladies are so real and an awesome mixture of personalities. The primary day I met them, lots of them got here up and launched themselves and helped fill me in any means they may. And naturally, hockey is a small world. There have been many mutual connections from previous groups from throughout components of the globe the place we’ve performed. I like assembly new individuals who share comparable experiences.”
Powerful Losses in Minnesota
The Beauts suffered two decisive losses of their annual journey to Minnesota. First got here an Eight-2 defeat on Jan. 11. That was adopted up lower than 24-hours later by a 7-1 loss by the hands of the Whitecaps.
Sarah Casorso received an Isobel Cup with the 2016-17 Buffalo Beauts (Photograph Credit score: Tom Morris).
Casorso was acknowledged by the Beauts teaching workers for her optimistic presence within the locker room within the midst of each defeats. To her credit score, she additionally generated 4 photographs on purpose and was even for plus/minus.
Loss will not be something that Casorso hasn’t encountered and overcome earlier than. When the Beauts received the Cup in 2016-17, they completed the common season with a shedding report of 6-10-1 and scored the least quantity of objectives within the league.
If anybody might attest to the truth that common season losses should not insurmountable, it will be a participant like Casorso. She was in a position to give reassurance.
“I simply tried to be supportive and inspiring,” she mentioned. “Coming into these video games from the surface was a novel expertise as a result of all I used to be coming in with was my expertise and commentary, virtually like by means of a coach’s eyes. I began to see the little issues extra typically than after I was enjoying on a regular basis and I genuinely needed to assist and provides suggestions.”
“Regardless of the loses,” mentioned Casorso, “this workforce has the sticks to construct a profitable finish to the season. I recounted for them the 12 months we received the Isobel Cup. We struggled all season to get wins however once we discovered our chemistry within the final 4 video games we had been unbeatable. I see an actual parallel to this workforce and the potential they’ve to complete off 2020 sturdy.”
The place It Will Go From Right here
In the intervening time, Casorso has performed her two PTO video games and has not but signed on with the Beauts for the rest of the season. As Cronin spoke to, the potential of signing Casorso is one that might considerably bolster Buffalo’s blue line.
Beauts defender Sarah Casorso eyes up Minnesota Whitecaps ahead Meghan Lorence (Photograph Credit score: Tom Morris).
On the completion of the weekend in Minnesota, the Beauts discovered themselves in an Eight-game shedding streak. With six video games to go and the playoffs simply across the nook, it’s time for the Beauts to solidify and ramp up their recreation.
Casorso is a participant that might assist that come to fruition.
“This workforce is a household,” she mentioned. “They assist one another by means of the great and dangerous instances, and have a good time whereas they’re doing it. I hope they discover their groove and kick the remainder of the season right into a successful streak as a result of they deserve it!”
