MARSHFIELD, Mass. – The New England Hockey Conference has announced the 2022-23 coaches' poll Thursday morning. The Beacons were picked to finish tied for fourth in the standings alongside the University of Southern Maine, with both teams earning 64 points respectively.
The reigning NEHC Champions, and national semi-finalist Elmira College was picked to repeat this season after taking home 98 points and nine first place votes. Norwich University, earned one first place vote and 91 points. Castleton University was picked to finish third with 71 points.
Now in her second season as the Beacons head coach
Danielle Blanchard is looking to lead women's hockey back to the NEHC title game. Despite taking the reigns of the program two weeks into the season last year, Blanchard led UMB to a successful campaign posting a 12-13-0 record, and an 11-7 record in conference play. The 11 wins was the first 10+ win conference season for the Beacons since the 2016-17 campaign.
Blanchard will welcome back three of her top-4 scorers from a season ago. All-Rookie Team selection
Katie Wilbert posted nine goals and 10 assists in her first season as a Beacon. Wilbert will be joined by
Cailey Kozich and
Liz Kramp who combined for 34 points respectively.
Senior
Addie Budington, who was a Third Team honoree last season, will be one of the top defensemen in the NEHC this season. As a junior, Budington finished with 10 assists, and had 15 blocked shots.
Between the pipes,
Victoria Kennedy played in 25 games in her rookie campaign. In over 1,400 minutes of action, Kennedy registered 664 saves and had a save percentage of .926.
The Beacons will begin their new season on October 29 when they travel to Suffolk University for a 4:50 pm non-conference game.
2022-23 New England Hockey Conference Women's Hockey Coaches Poll
| #1 |
Elmira College (9) |
98 points |
| #2 |
Norwich University (1) |
91 points |
| #3 |
Castleton University |
71 points |
| T4 |
University of Massachusetts Boston |
64 points |
| T4 |
University of Southern Maine |
64 points |
| #6 |
William Smith College |
58 points |
| #7 |
Plymouth State University |
36 points |
| #8 |
Johnson & Wales University |
34 points |
| #9 |
Salem State University |
22 points |
| #10 |
New England College |
12 points |
(First Place votes in parentheses)
