EASTON, MASS. (September 21, 2022) – The Stonehill College women's ice hockey team has been picked fifth for the upcoming season in the New England Women's Ice Hockey Alliance (NEWHA) by the conferences seven head coaches.
Stonehill, which will be competing in its inaugural season in 2022-23 after announcing the addition of the sport as the College's 23rd varsity intercollegiate sport in 2019, received 17 points in the NEWHA preseason poll. Defending NEWHA Champions Franklin Pierce University topped the poll with 33 points, receiving five first place votes, with Long Island University (29 points) and the remaining two first place votes. Sacred Heart University (27 points) is picked third, Saint Anselm College (17) fourth, with Stonehill (17) fifth, Post University (9) sixth and Saint Michael's College (8) seventh.
Stonehill, under the direction of head coach Tara Watchorn, a 2014 Olympic Gold Medalist, opens its inaugural season with an exhibition game against University of Moncton (New Brunswick) at Bridgewater Ice Arena, the home of Stonehill ice hockey, on Saturday at 5 p.m. The Skyhawks officially open their season the following weekend with a home and home series with the University of Connecticut, starting in Storrs, Connecticut, Friday, September 30, at 6 p.m., before the inaugural home game against the Huskies on Saturday, October 1, in Bridgewater at 5 p.m.
Stonehill will open its inaugural NEWHA season the following weekend with a two-game series in Bridgewater against Post University on October 7-8. Coach Watchorn recently announced the roster for its inaugural season that features student-athletes from all over the country as far as Washington, and internationally as far as Sweden.
2022-23 NEWHA Preseason Coaches' Poll
Rank Team Points (First-Place Votes)
1. Franklin Pierce 33 pts. (5)
2. LIU 29 pts. (2)
3. Sacred Heart 27 pts.
4. Saint Anselm 24 pts.
5. Stonehill 17 pts.
6. Post 9 pts.
7. Saint Michael's 8 pts.
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