Assumption Greyhounds women's ice hockey

Assumption Greyhounds women's ice hockey
UniversityAssumption University (Worcester)
ConferenceNEWHA
Head coachJoe Groosman
3rd season, 47–59–10 (.448)
Assistant coachesDelaney Couture
Kylian Kelly
Captain(s)Kayla McGaffigan
Alternate captain(s)Justina Valentini
ArenaWorcester Ice Center
Worcester, Massachusetts
ColorsBlue and white[1]
   

The Assumption Greyhounds women's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey program that represents Assumption University (Worcester). The Greyhounds, members of New England Women's Hockey Alliance, play at the Worcester Ice Center in Worcester, Massachusetts.

History

Assumption joined the NEWHA for administrative purposes in 2022 in advance of its first season of varsity women's hockey in 2023–24.[2]

The 2023-24 season saw the Greyhounds record 69 goals. Early in the season, Carissa Mudrak set a program record for most saves in one game, logging 53 on October 13, 2023 versus Saint Anselm.

The Greyhounds first game occurred on September 29, 2023. Facing off against the Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers, Sheridan Terrazzano scored the first goal in program history, with the assist credited to Caroline Lilley.[3] Jenna Chaplain also scored in a 3-2 loss.

The Greyhounds first NEWHA game took place on Friday October 13, 2023, a 3-3 tie versus Saint Anselm. Eight days later, the Greyhounds won their first game. Defeating Post by a 5-4 overtime score, Emma Gurnell recorded the game winning goal.[4] Mudrak earned the win in a 28 save performance.

On October 5, 2024, the Greyhounds gained their first out of conference victory. Besting the University of New Hampshire with a 2-1 shootout win.[5] Goaltender Jadyyn Weiser recorded 54 saves.

In a November 2, 2024 game versus the Post Eagles, the Greyhounds recorded seven goals. At the time, a program record for most goals scored (since broken), thirteen different Greyhounds recorded at least one point in the 7-3 final.[6]

During the 2025-26 season, multiple skaters reached 100 career games played. On January 31, 2026, Kayla and Ava McGaffigan, along with Alexa Hanrahan all reached 100 career games, becoming the first players in program history to do so. Lexie Kirkeby played in her 100th game on February 7, 2026 while Caroline Lilley achieved the feat on February 14.

On Senior Day 2026, the Greyhounds set two records. Kayla McGaffigan recorded the first hat trick in program history.[7] Scoring nine goals versus the Saint Michael's Purple Knights, it represented a new record for most goals scored in one game.[7] As a side note, senior goaltender Jadyn Weiser shared in the shutout with Maria Suarez, as the Greyhounds prevailed in a 9-0 final.

Opposing the Post Eagles in the first round of the 2026 NEWHA Playoffs, Assumption won the third and deciding game by a 4-2 margin. Led by goaltender Jadyn Weiser, who recorded 35 savrs, Natalie Joiner led all Assumption skaters with a goal and assist.[8] With the win, Assumption advances to the NEWHA Semifinals for the first time. [8]

Season-by-season results

Won Championship Lost Championship Conference Champions League Leader
Year Coach W L T Finish Conference Tournament NCAA Tournament
2025-26 Joe Grossman 17 14 3 2nd, NEWHA Won First Round vs Post (2-1 OT, 1-2, 4-2), Semifinals vs Saint Anselm
2024-25 Joe Grossman 10 23 3 7th, NEWHA Lost First Round vs Sacred Heart (0-1, 2-6)[9]
2023-24 Jack Sweeney 10 22 4 6th, NEWHA Lost First Round vs Stonehill (2-3, 1-3)[10]

Team captains

  • 2023-24: Sheridan Terrazzano C
  • 2024-25: Sheridan Terrazzano C, Emma Gurnell A, Carissa Mudrak A
  • 2025-26: Kayla McGaffigan C, Mary McKiernan A, Justina Valentini A

Awards and Honors

  • Justina Valentini, 2025-26 NEWHA Defensive Player of the Year[11]

NEWHA All-Stars

  • Kayla McGaffigan, 2025-26 First Team[11]
  • Justina Valentini, 2025-26 First Team[11]
  • Ava McGaffigan, 2025-26 Second Team[11]

NEWHA All-Rookie

  • Jenna Chaplain, 2023-24 NEWHA All-Rookie Team[12]
  • Alexa Hanrahan, 2023-24 NEWHA All-Rookie Team[12]
  • Natalie Joiner, 2025-26 NEWHA All-Rookie Team[11]

NEWHA All-Sportswomanship

  • Kayla McGaffigan, 2023-24 NEWHA All-Sportswomanship Team[12]
  • Ava McGaffigan, 2024-25 NEWHA All-Sportswomanship Team[13]
  • Annabel Ziskin, 2025-26 NEWHA All-Sportswomanship Team[11]

References

  1. ^ Assumption Official Logo Style Guide (PDF). Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  2. ^ "Assumption accepts invitation to join NEWHA as its eighth member" (Press release). New England Women's Hockey Alliance. June 29, 2022. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  3. ^ "Assumption women's ice hockey plays first game in program history". Assumption.edu. October 3, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  4. ^ "Gurnell's OT winner lifts women's ice hockey past Post for program's first win, 5-4". Assumption.edu. October 21, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
  5. ^ "Women's ice hockey earns first out of conference victory in program history at UNH". Assumption.edu. October 5, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
  6. ^ "Women's ice hockey explodes for seven goals in 7-3 win over Post". Assumption.edu. November 2, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
  7. ^ a b Recap, Game (February 7, 2025). "Women's Hockey had an offensive explosion on Senior Day, 9-0 over Saint Michael's". Assumption Greyhounds Athletics. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  8. ^ a b Recap, Game (March 1, 2026). "Women's Hockey doubles up Post 4-2 to advance to NEWHA Semifinals". Assumption Greyhounds Athletics. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  9. ^ "2025 NEWHA Tournament". NEWHA Online. March 8, 2025. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  10. ^ "2025 NEWHA Tournament". NEWHA Online. March 9, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  11. ^ a b c d e f "NEWHA Releases 2025-26 Major Awards, All League Teams". newhaonline.com. March 5, 2026. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  12. ^ a b c "NEWHA releases major end of season awards, All-League teams". NEWHA Online. February 23, 2024. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  13. ^ "NEWHA releases 2024-25 major end of season awards, All-League teams". NEWHA Online. February 27, 2025. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
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