BOSTON, MA (October 31, 2024) – The UMass Boston women's ice hockey team returns to play following a long seven-month offseason on Friday, November 1, at 7:00 p.m. against the Curry College Colonels from Milton, Massachusetts, in the 2024-25 regular season opener.

Last Season, the Beacons finished with an 11-12-3 overall record (10-6-2 New England Hockey Conference) and were the fourth seed in the NEHC. Rookie Head Coach Moe Bradley secured the 2023-24 NEHC Coach of the Year award for piloting the Beacons to an 11-win season and the NEHC 4-seed. The Beacons ultimately bowed out of the tournament following a 5-0 loss to the fifth-seeded University of Southern Maine Huskies. Some of the most significant wins from the previous season include a road win over William & Smith College (4-3), Plymouth State (4-1), New England College (3-0), and Coach Moe's first collegiate victory in her first game as Head Coach over the Worcester State University Lancers (3-2).

The Colonels finished 11-12-5 (5-8-5 Commonwealth Coast Conference), including victories against Southern Maine (8-2), the University of New England (4-1), Nichols (5-0 twice), and Salve Regina (6-1). The Colonels scored 61 goals and allowed 59 (2.07 Goals against average) in 2023-24, averaging just under 30 shots per game, and saving .938 of opponent's shots per game.

The Beacons averaged 1.4 goals per game on an average of 25.4 shots per game compared to their opponent's 2.2 goals per game on 28.4 shots. They scored 36 goals in 2023-24, 13 of which were power plays, one short-handed goal, and two unassisted goals. From the faceoff circle, the Beacons were 654-718 (.477). In 2023-24, senior Katie Wilbert (Pittsburgh, PA.) led the team in season points with four goals and 10 assists, serving as the team's lead playmaker. Junior Allie Reifler (Binghamton, N.Y.) and sophomore Emily Hansen (Lake Villa, Ill.) were tied as lead goal-scorers with five goals each. Reifler and Hansen also provided for their teammates, dishing out nine combined assists. Sophomore Leah Bosch Minnetonka, Minn.) was the primary option between the posts, starting in 21 of the 19 games she appeared in. In over 1,100 minutes of action, Bosch registered a whopping 521 saves (.920 SV %) and allowed 45 goals for a 2.32 GAA. She ended last season with a record of 6-12-3, including three shutouts. Bosch recorded a season-high 44 saves against Middlebury on December 9, 2023.

Below is a breakdown of the 2024-25 roster, featuring returning standouts, rising freshmen, and promising transfers.

Goalies:
Bosch returns for her junior season with the Beacons this season and is joined by two first years, Ginny Curello (Chesire, Conn.), and Veronika Hadamovsky (Groton, Mass.).

Forwards:
The Beacons' attack is 13 athletes deep, including four seniors, three juniors, and five first-years. The returners who are running it back for the Beacons' attack are Liz Kramp (Farmington Hills, Mich.), Adriana Crepaldi (Brick, N.J.), Kristen Briggs (Foster, R.I.), Wilbert, Reifler and Hansen. The four additional first years include Cassidy Morrison (Fairbanks, Ark.), Rae Alexander (Georgia, Vt.) Lily Hayes (Longmeadow, Mass.), Emerson Homa (Gorham, Maine.) and Avery Brooks (Grosse Ile, Mich.). Wilbert, Reifler, and Hansen were active in the box sheets last season. Crepaldi, Kramp, and Briggs each bring a different motor to the ice. Crepaldi is a tactical playmaker who excels at reading defenses and making calculated passes, while Kramp provides a physical spark in transition.

Defense:
The Beacons head into week one with eight defenders, including six returners and two first-years. Margeaux Butters (Snohomish, Wash.), Gabby Shontz (Reading, Vt.), Melina Maggio (Chicago, Ill.), Gianna Skrelja (South Lyon, Mich.), and Mia Boyd (Buffalo, N.Y.) each return for the 2024-25 season, joined by first-years Lily Hayes (Longmeadow, Mass.) and Kaitlyn Ondrick (Westfield, Mass.). in 2023-24, Butters netted two goals and provided two assists, as she is capable of gripping and ripping shots from the point, servicing teammates in transition, and exuding physical dominance in the defensive end. Maggio and Shontz provide velocity in the back line as speedy defenders with enough strength and technique to steal possession from opposing attacks.

The Beacons will kick off their season tomorrow, Friday, November 1, at 7:00 p.m. against the Colonels from Milton, Massachusetts. For live stats, follow the link here. For live-stream video coverage, follow the link here.