On Friday, October 10, and Saturday, October 11, Union Women’s Hockey will skate against the University of New Hampshire at M&T Bank Center. The team hopes to continue their strong start to the season, while UNH poses challenges in the net. This Friday’s game will also feature an additional ceremony to honor the inauguration of President Kiss.
The women’s hockey team is coming off a historic start to its season. Aside from the new rink, the team’s current record of 3-0-1 is a program-best start to the season. Historically, the program has had 18 seasons with 10 or fewer overall wins. But this season, it looks like the team can finally shake off its weak record.
Thus far, 16 Union players have registered 1 or more points in the first four games played. Captain Stephanie Bourque ‘26 leads the point production with four assists so far. The captain ranked third overall in points on the team last season and first overall among defenders. Additionally, Megan Duplantie ‘29 scored her first two goals during Saturday’s game against Merrimack, including a goal with 50 seconds left in regulation to tie the game. To top it all off, the team received its first-ever USCHO Division 1 women’s hockey ranking vote.
Notably, last season’s leading point producer, Karianne Engelbert ‘28, was out with an injury this past weekend, and it’s unclear if she will return this weekend. However, it is unlikely that she will be out for the remainder of the season.
Union starting goaltender Monja Wagner ‘27 currently boasts a 1.30 season GAA and a 93.9% save percentage across three games, including a shutout in the season opener against Saint Anslem. Wagner’s goaltending capabilities are likely to be a challenge for UNH to overcome.
The University of New Hampshire currently holds a 2-2-0 record, with both wins coming from a sweep against Assumption University this past weekend. The team’s point production is currently led by freshman Nina Rossi and senior Alyson Hush, who have four points each. However, the team lost all five of last year’s leading goal scorers to graduation.
A challenge that Union will have to overcome is the goaltending capabilities of New Hampshire. UNH starting goaltender Sedona Blair boasts a career 2.23 GAA and 92.4% save percentage across 68 total games played. Additionally, Blair represented Team USA at the 2022 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship. Last season, she stopped 36 of 37 shots in a two-game series against Union, recording one shutout.
Additionally, this Friday’s game will feature additional activities and entertainment. It will celebrate the inauguration of President Kiss and feature a student tailgate before the game. The Garnettes, Bhangra, Jaiva Afro Vibes, will perform during game breaks, and SAE Aero and SAE Baja will display their car and aircraft. Union students will be able to participate in a class year competition, and the winning class year will get $5 coffee vouchers to Villa Italia, a pastry and coffee shop on 226 Broadway Street past Proctor’s.
The puck drops for Friday night’s game against UNH at 6:30 p.m. and on Saturday at 3 p.m. Fans can expect an exciting non-conference matchup at M&T Bank Center. Admission to the game on Friday is free for all fans.
