Top Four Seeds Advance to NEWHA Semifinals
WINTHROP, Mass. – Following series victories in the quarterfinal round, the top four seeds in the New England Women's Hockey Alliance Tournament have advanced to the semifinals scheduled for Wednesday, March 4.
The tournament's top seed, Franklin Pierce (21-11-2), defeated No. 8 Saint Michael's in two games to advance to the semifinals for the first time since the 2023-24 campaign. The Ravens blanked the Purple Knights in game one, 8-0, on Friday behind a 25-save shutout from senior goaltender Jill Hertl. In Saturday's 5-1 victory for FPU, freshman Abigail Broz recorded four points (2-2-4) to punch the Ravens' ticket into the next round.
The series between No. 2 Assumption and No. 7 Post was the only matchup that went the full three games. Following a 2-1 overtime win for the Greyhounds in game one, the Eagles secured a 2-1 regulation victory on Saturday to force the third game. Using four different goal scorers and a 35-save performance by junior goalie Jadyn Weiser, Assumption (19-15-3) took the final game on Sunday by a score of 4-2 to advance to the semifinals for the first time in program history.
The third-seeded Hawks of Saint Anselm (18-17-1) swept their series over No. 6 Sacred Heart to return to the semifinals for the second consecutive season. A pair of third-period goals from senior Brooklyn Schneiderhan and junior Brenna Young sent Saint Anselm past the Pioneers, 3-2, in game one on Friday. Saint Anselm never trailed in game two on Saturday, earning a 3-1 victory as freshman netminder Kayla Czukoski made 32 saves in goal.
No. 4 Stonehill (18-16-2) moved on following two straight victories over fifth-seeded LIU. Nine different Skyhawks tallied a point while senior goaltender Eve Stone stood tall in net with a 38-save shutout in Friday's 3-0 victory in game one. A highly competitive game two on Saturday went to overtime tied at 3-3. Sophomore Seina Spadone of the Skyhawks eventually netted the game-winner 7:19 into overtime to send Stonehill back to the semifinals for the third time in program history and the first since the Skyhawks' championship run in 2023-24.
Saint Anselm will travel to face Assumption at the Worcester Ice Center in Worcester, Mass. on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.
Stonehill will head north to Winchendon, Mass. for a 7:00 p.m. clash against Franklin Pierce on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.
The winner of each semifinal-round contest will face off in the NEWHA Championship game on Saturday, March 7, at the site of the highest remaining seed.
ABOUT THE NEW ENGLAND WOMEN'S HOCKEY ALLIANCE
Founded in 2017, the New England Women's Hockey Alliance is comprised of three NCAA Division I institutions and five NCAA Division II institutions. Members of the NEWHA include Assumption University, Franklin Pierce University, Long Island University, Post University, Sacred Heart University, Saint Anselm College, Saint Michael's College, and Stonehill College.
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