The chase for the Conference of New England (CNE) women’s ice hockey crown begins October 30, with conference play opening November 6. Defending champion Endicott leads a field featuring returning award winners, experienced contenders and fresh storylines, including Roger Williams’ inaugural varsity season and Salve Regina’s arrival in CNE competition. Below is a look at the programs preparing to make their mark in 2026-27.
CURRY COLLEGE
2026-27 Schedule | 2026-27 Roster
Returners: 10 | Graduated: 6 | Newcomers: 12
2025-26 Results: 10-14-2 (5-11-2 CNE)
The Curry College women’s ice hockey team enters the 2026-27 season under the direction of head coach Kelly Rider, who has led the program since its inception in 2020. The Colonels look to build on a 2025-26 campaign that saw them finish with a 10-14-2 overall record, including a 5-11-2 mark in Conference of New England play. Curry recorded several notable victories throughout the season, including a two-game sweep of Manhattanville College to open the year and a 6-3 road victory over Suffolk University.
The Colonels return several key contributors on the offensive end, led by junior Bella Mardesich (Murrieta, Calif.), who paced the team with 13 goals and 17 points across all 26 contests last season. Sophomore Darby Marshall (Issaquah, Wash.) also returns following an impressive debut campaign in which she recorded seven goals and eight assists for 15 points. Senior Kayley Hansen (Kenosha, Wis.), who will serve as team captain this season, brings additional experience to the lineup after contributing two goals and seven assists for nine points last year.
On the blue line, senior Anna Kahl (Simsbury, Conn.) returns after appearing in all 26 games last season, recording three points and 25 blocked shots. Sophomore Aria Kader (Everett, Mass.) also looks to build on her first collegiate season after registering a goal, five assists and 21 blocked shots in 24 appearances. The Colonels also welcome sophomore transfer Aliana Gibson (Stouffville, Ontario) from Anna Maria College, along with several first-year players looking to make an immediate impact.
Between the pipes, junior Coriann Hoag (Manchester, N.H.) returns after handling the majority of the goaltending duties last season. Hoag appeared in 20 contests, recording 542 saves and eight victories while posting a .930 save percentage. The Colonels also add first-year goaltenders Kiera Tucker (Fitchburg, Mass.) and Daneeka Gilbert (Ottawa, Ontario) to provide additional depth in net.
With a combination of experienced returners and incoming talent, Curry will look to continue developing under Rider’s leadership and make a push in the Conference of New England during the 2026-27 campaign.
The Colonels open the season on the road against nonconference opponent Worcester State University on Saturday, October 31, with opening puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m.
ENDICOTT COLLEGE
2026-27 Schedule | 2026-27 Roster
Returners: 22 | Graduated: 5 | Newcomers: 8
2025-26 Results: 21-5-2 (15-2-1 CNE) | 2025-26 Overall Stats
2025-26 Postseason Finish: CNE Champions; NCAA Tournament First Round
The Endicott women’s ice hockey team opens its 2026-27 season at home against first-year program University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) on Saturday, October 31, at 3 p.m. The Gulls bring back two all-conference honorees from last season’s championship-winning squad, including defender Lilly Corso and goaltender Lauren Ferrari.
Endicott takes on one other program, Williams, that made the NCAA Tournament last season. The Blue and Green finished last season ranked No. 14 in the final USCHO Division III poll and will start the season ranked No. 15. Endicott will attempt to win its sixth conference championship in program history.
JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY
2026-27 Schedule | 2026-27 Roster
Returners: 21 | Graduated: 3 | Newcomers: 5
2025-26 Results: 14-12-1 (10-7-1 CNE) | 2025-26 Overall Stats
2025-26 Postseason Finish: CNE Semifinals
The JWU (Providence) women’s ice hockey team won a program-record 14 games in head coach Maddy Santore’s fourth season behind the bench. The Wildcats hosted the second playoff game in program history and advanced to the CNE Semifinals for the first time.
Juniors Grace Adams and Jordan Hopping both return after tying for the team lead in scoring with 17 points. Adams recorded a team-high 10 goals and seven assists, while Hopping contributed seven goals and 10 assists, including a pair of overtime winners.
Junior Ava Morgan and sophomore Ashley Bergeron both racked up 10 points last season, as eight of JWU’s top 10 scorers from a year ago are back. While the defense faces a significant loss in captain Ally Barry, who recorded 15 points in 27 games in 2025-26, senior Sadie Davignon (two goals, five assists) and junior Cailean Corbally (four goals, two assists) return to patrol the blue line.
Junior Katelyn Cardoso, who recorded eight wins and a .926 save percentage, and sophomore Avery Hall, who posted five wins and a .942 save percentage, form a potent tandem between the pipes for the Wildcats.
NICHOLS COLLEGE
2026-27 Schedule | 2026-27 Roster
Returners: 18 | Graduated: 5 | Newcomers: 6
2025-26 Results: 7-18-0 (4-14-0 CNE) | 2025-26 Overall Stats
2025-26 Conference Finish: Seventh Place
The Nichols College women’s ice hockey team returns to the ice for the 2026-27 season looking to build on last year’s offensive success under head coach Michael Barrett, assisted by Melissa Montessi, Dylan Knox and Alicia Hunks. The Bison finished the 2025-26 campaign with a 7-18-0 overall record and a 4-14-0 mark in Conference of New England play. Nichols scored 53 goals last season, averaging 2.12 goals per game, while its power-play unit converted at a 20.2% rate. Both marks ranked third-highest in program history.
The Bison will be led by captains Kerstin Ambruso, Kasey Litwin and Rhea Bullens, who will provide leadership and experience throughout the campaign. Nichols returns several of its top offensive contributors, including sophomore forward Keira Goffe, who earned Second Team All-CNE honors after leading the team with 11 goals and 21 points in her freshman season. Sophomore Kaylyn Bourque also returns after recording nine goals and nine assists for 18 points. On the blue line, junior Sienna Reeves will look to build on her team-high 12 assists and 14 points, while junior forward Angalisa Caceda returns after tallying six goals and five assists for 11 points.
In goal, the Bison return sophomore Ivy Grant, junior Taylor Daley and senior Paige Almon. Grant posted a 3-4-0 record in nine appearances last season, recording a 2.04 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage with 171 saves. Daley appeared in 11 games, earning two wins and making 247 saves, while Almon recorded two wins and 225 saves in nine appearances. The Bison also welcome freshman goaltender Adaline Ploof as they look to add depth between the pipes.
With a core of returning offensive contributors, experienced leadership and depth in goal, Nichols will look to build on last season’s scoring production and compete for a spot in the CNE postseason.
The Bison open their season at Framingham State University on Friday, October 30, at Loring Arena. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m.
ROGER WILLIAMS UNIVERSITY
2026-27 Schedule | 2026-27 Roster
Inaugural Varsity Season
2025-26 Results: N/A | 2025-26 Postseason Finish: N/A
The Roger Williams women’s ice hockey team will take the ice for its inaugural varsity season in 2026-27 under head coach Lora Ardoin. The Hawks’ first roster brings together first-year players and transfers.
Up front, first-year winger Grace Collins arrives from Tilton School as a powerful, dynamic forward with a strong shot, physical presence and high hockey IQ. First-year Emily Hester, from Berwick Academy, brings a tenacious, hard-working approach and is expected to play a fast-paced game. Junior transfer Abby Mellen joins the Hawks from Manhattanville with collegiate experience and leadership that will be valuable to the young program.
On defense, first-year Jordan Nash brings speed and skill from North Yarmouth Academy and is expected to make an immediate impact while setting a physical standard for the group. First-year Jordan Downey, who comes to Bristol from Winnipeg, combines size and technical ability and is expected to generate offense from the blue line.
In goal, transfer Gabi Brazeau brings experience from SUNY Morrisville, where she put together an impressive first-year campaign. Her experience and leadership will be important as the Hawks begin their first season.
Roger Williams opens with exhibition games at Keene State on Friday, October 23, and at home against Framingham State on Saturday, October 24. The Hawks play their first varsity game Friday, October 30, at Rivier, then host Nichols for the program’s first home game Tuesday, November 3. The team opens Conference of New England play November 6 at Curry.
SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY
2026-27 Schedule | 2026-27 Roster
Returners: N/A | Graduated: N/A | Newcomers: N/A
2025-26 Results: 14-11-0 (Independent) | 2025-26 Overall Stats
Salve Regina University women’s ice hockey enters the 2026-27 season coming off a winning campaign as an independent team. Last year, the Seahawks recorded notable victories over the University of New England, Wesleyan University and Connecticut College, among several other strong performances.
The Seahawks return their second-leading point scorer, Caroline Batchelder, who recorded nine goals and 13 assists for 22 points in 2025-26. Returning senior defender Aryana Wilson helped the Caribbean women’s Division I national team capture first place at the AMERIGOL Latam Cup this summer, an international hockey tournament featuring teams representing countries and communities from around the world.
Junior goaltender Taylor Hannafan enters the season with 649 career saves. In 2024-25, Hannafan set the Seahawks’ single-season save percentage record with a .947 mark, placing her among the NCAA’s top 15 goaltenders in that category.
Salve Regina opens the season and CNE play Friday, November 6, at Western New England University before hosting the Golden Bears on November 7 at Howard Rink.
SUFFOLK UNIVERSITY
2026-27 Schedule | 2026-27 Roster
Returners: 20 | Graduated: 2 | Newcomers: 10
2025-26 Results: 6-18-2 (6-10-2 CNE)
2025-26 Postseason Finish: CNE First Round — Fifth Seed
Suffolk women’s ice hockey heads into the 2026-27 season looking to take the next step after earning its second consecutive Conference of New England Tournament appearance and fifth postseason berth in program history. The Rams finished 6-18-2 overall and 6-10-2 in conference play, with all six victories coming against CNE opponents, before earning the fifth seed in the CNE Tournament. Suffolk’s postseason run ended in the first round with a 6-2 setback to fourth-seeded University of New England.
Fourth-year head coach Abby Ostrom brings back 20 players from last season’s squad, including two of Suffolk’s top three point producers. Junior Alexia Hill led the Rams with eight goals and added eight assists for 16 points, while senior Bella Schmidt finished third on the team with 15 points on seven goals and eight assists. Senior defenseman Cassie Borrowski also returns after contributing seven goals and five assists.
In net, senior Katelyn Michals will anchor the Rams after setting a new Suffolk single-season record with 916 saves last season. Michals finished the year with a .913 save percentage and enters her third season as the program’s all-time saves leader with 1,693 stops through two seasons.
The Rams open the campaign Friday, November 6, against Salem State at 5 p.m. at Louis E. Porrazzo Memorial Skating Rink.
UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND
2026-27 Schedule | 2026-27 Roster
Returners: 16 | Graduated: 7 | Newcomers: 5
2025-26 Results: 11-15-1 (6-11-1 CNE) | 2025-26 Overall Stats
2025-26 Postseason Finish: CNE Semifinals — Fourth Seed
The University of New England and fourth-year head coach Cassandra Sherman bring back experience at all three levels for the 2026-27 campaign. Sophomore goaltender Kyleigh Matola returns from a banner first season, when she was named CNE Goaltender of the Year and Rookie of the Year after posting a 1.76 goals-against average and a .944 save percentage. Matola played two-thirds of the minutes for UNE and sported the nation’s 14th-best save percentage. The entire goaltending corps from last season returns for the Nor’easters.
Last season’s top returning goal scorers include senior forwards Amanda Forziati, Adria Tebo and Averi Curran. Tebo and Forziati were also second and third on the squad, respectively, in assists during 2025-26. The Nor’easters have five experienced defenders back, including seniors Jamie Ryan and Mackenzie O’Leary, who combined for 103 blocked shots.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND UNIVERSITY
2026-27 Schedule | 2026-27 Roster
Returners: 19 | Graduated: 2 | Newcomers: 6
2025-26 Results: 18-8-1 (13-4-1 CNE) | 2025-26 Overall Stats
2025-26 Conference Finish: Second Place
2025-26 Postseason Finish: CNE Final
Coming off a program-record 18-win season, the Western New England women’s ice hockey team will look to return to the Conference of New England Championship Game for the third time in program history after falling last season in overtime.
Head coach Katie Zimmerman enters her seventh season with the program and sixth full season of competition. Zimmerman saw just two Golden Bears graduate last season and will have her top two all-conference scorers return to the lineup in 2026-27. Jenna Lynch (Brookline, N.H.) scored 12 goals and added 19 assists for 31 points last season. Lynch took 114 shots on goal, scoring three power-play goals and three game-winning goals. She also led the Blue and Gold with 67 blocked shots.
Mabel Gerard (Halifax, Nova Scotia) led WNE with 17 goals last season, including nine on the power play. Gerard picked up 30 points overall and led the team with a +13 rating. Sophomore Mikayla Mrzywka (Macedon, N.Y.) was third on the team with eight goals and will look to continue that success in the upcoming season.
All-American defender Michaela Birmingham (Enfield, Conn.) became the first All-American in program history last season, picking up seven goals and adding 18 assists to lead all WNE defenders with 25 points. Birmingham helped the Golden Bears allow just 52 goals across 27 games, the second-fewest in the conference. She will be joined by Leah Dube (Lewiston, Maine), who saw action in all 27 games last season, scoring four goals and adding five assists. Lilly Ainley (Cranston, R.I.) led all first-year players on the roster with 19 points on three goals and 16 assists.
In goal, WNE will look to Rachael Irving (Auburn, N.H.), who started 25 games last season, posting a 1.75 goals-against average and a .945 save percentage. Irving made 755 saves last season and has 1,209 saves across 41 games played in her first two seasons in Blue and Gold.
The Golden Bears kick off the season on home ice Saturday, October 31, at 7:10 p.m., when Rivier University visits the Olympia Ice Center in West Springfield.
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE OF NEW ENGLAND
Originally founded in 1984 as the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC), and reconstituted as the Conference of New England (CNE) in 2024, the CNE is an NCAA Division III athletic conference composed of 11 full member and nine associate member institutions throughout the New England region. Its membership aims to provide student-athletes with a positive experience in their pursuit of excellence through high academic standards, quality competition and a meaningful student life. The Conference administers championships in 21 intercollegiate sports.