Women’s Ice Hockey advances to semifinals after a first-round sweep

By Emily Ciampa

The women’s ice hockey team is carrying its relentless mindset into the next round of playoffs after defeating LIU in back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday. With the quarterfinal sweep behind them, the team will now shift focus to a 7 p.m. semifinal matchup against Franklin Pierce University on Wednesday night.  

Throughout the regular season, this team emphasized consistency and determination, a theme that has continued to carry into this postseason play. 

Junior Makenna Slocum reflects on the team's growth over the course of the year.  

“Our team has had a strong regular season. We have really grown and solidified our strengths and systems,” she said. “A theme for our regular season was relentlessness, no matter what play, what shift, or what game, and we definitely embodied this throughout.” 

That resilience has been especially evident in high-pressure moments. According to Slocum, the team's ability to respond to adversity has been key.  

“Our ability to handle adversity and respond to setbacks has given us the confidence to bounce back and win from deficits,” she said. “The biggest key to success is sticking to our habits. It's the little things that are the reason why the big plays, moments, and successes can happen.” 

Assistant Captain Maddi Achtyl described the team identity heading into playoffs as “gritty” and “never give up," qualities that were on display during the LIU series, especially when Saturday's game headed into overtime.  

“Heading into playoffs, that's something we need to carry with us. These games are tough, and we will face adversity, but it's going to depend on how well we persevere,” said Achtyl.  

Achtyl also emphasized the impact of the team's first-year players. 

‘I'm most proud of how our first years stepped up and produced for us. They have been outstanding both on and off the ice and are a huge element of our success this season so far,” she said.  

Freshman Bella Sacca has felt that growth firsthand. Adjusting to college hockey, especially at the Division 1 level, required balancing the increased academic demands with a more structured athletics schedule, but these days the support system has made the transition meaningful.  

One defining moment came when Sacca scored her first shootout goal.  

“That was the moment where it really hit me that I can compete at this level… more than the goal itself, it was the reaction from my teammates,” she said. “The energy on the bench and how excited everyone was for me made a big difference.” 

Photo Credit: Jim Pierce

Now, as the team prepares for FPU, the intensity only continues to build.  

“The energy definitely shifts going into playoffs,” said Sacca. “Everything feels more intense because every game matters so much. Knowing everything is on the line makes it more exciting and makes me want to compete even more.”  

With momentum from their LIU sweep and a unified, relentless identity, the team looks to continue its playoff run this week.