About the Dutchwomen:
Union kicked off their season this past weekend as they went 1-1-0 in the two game against New Hampshire.
Riley Walsh was the story of the weekend for Union as the first-year scored twice in her debut and added a third in her second game with the garnet and white.
Emily King and
Paige Greco were the other Union players that found the back of the net in the opening weekend.
Sophie Matsoukas earned her first win of the season on Friday, with a 3-2 win. Matsoukas stopped 33 of 35 shots in the win. She made 14 saves in a 5-2 loss on Saturday afternoon.
About the Crusaders:
Darci Johal returns for her senior season after posting a 11-9=20 stat line in her junior season. The Crusaders returned Lily Feeney, who was the team's top assist producer last season.
Madison Beck returns in net for Holy Cross, she played in eight games last year and posted a .911 save percentage and a 3.21 goals against average.
Last Time They Played:
These teams are meeting for the first time since 2003-04, Union's first season as a Division 1 program, and the Dutchwomen were victorious by a 4-1 final.
Historically Speaking:
These teams have met six times, with Holy Cross holding a 4-2 win to loss record over Union. These teams will be playing for the first time in 19 years. Union is averaging 2.17 goals a game against the Crusaders.
ECAC Rookie of the Week:
Riley Walsh was named ECAC Rookie of the Week after scoring three goals in her first weekend series and helping Union to a 1-1 record over the weekend. Walsh scored twice in her collegiate debut, with goals coming on the power play and the shorthanded. She is the first player to do this for Union since 2006. She added her third goal of the season on Saturday afternoon against UNH. Walsh now leads the team in goals and points.
Captains:
Senior
Emily King will serve as the lone captain for Union, while
Allison Smith,
Meredith Killian, and
Celeste Beaudoin will all serve as assistant captains for the upcoming season.
U.S. National Team Assistant Coach Josh Sciba:
Union College head women's hockey coach
Josh Sciba served as an assistant coach for the 2022 U.S. Women's National Team. The United States returned home from the 2022 IIHF Women's Hockey World Championships with a Silver Medal, following a 2-1 loss to Canada in the gold medal game.
