Dearborn, Mich. — The start of the season has tested the Aquinas women's hockey team in every imaginable way. Between a grueling early schedule, a shortened bench brought on by injuries and unexpected circumstances, and a search for consistent scoring, the Saints have faced more than their share of adversity. Yet through it all, this group continues to battle with heart and belief — in their new head coach Emma Hoch, in the process she's building, and in one another. Wins may be hard to come by right now, but the Saints' commitment, resilience, and team-first mindset have laid the groundwork for the kind of growth that lasts far beyond a scoreboard.

UM-Dearborn 15, Aquinas 0

It was a tough outing for a depleted Aquinas roster Friday night in Dearborn, as the Saints dropped their series opener against a high-powered Wolverines squad. Playing with just eight skaters, AQ relied on grit and endurance from start to finish, with goaltenders Trista Tracy and Izzy Buckett combining to face nearly 50 shots in the contest. Defenders Anna Sherman and Joleena Manone logged heavy minutes on the blue line, working to slow down a relentless UM-Dearborn attack that capitalized on its depth and speed. Up front, Anna Castle, Bridgett Clay, and Lorelei Weinrick battled in the faceoff circle, with Castle and Clay each winning three draws to help create brief offensive pushes. Despite the final score, Aquinas continued to compete hard to the final horn, showing the kind of fight Coach Hoch has emphasized since day one.

Inside the Numbers
     • Two goaltenders saw action — Trista Tracy (35 minutes) and Izzy Buckett (25 minutes)
     • Aquinas blocked several shots and won six faceoffs despite being short-handed
     • The Saints dressed only eight skaters due to injuries and suspensions
     • Both teams were called for one minor penalty

Coach's Comment
Head Coach Emma Hoch reflected on the adversity her team continues to face and the character she's seeing emerge through it:
"This one stung, no question about it. We were missing a lot of players tonight between injuries and suspensions, but that can't change how we compete. I told the team that these are the moments that define who we become — we have to keep battling, keep learning, and come out stronger for it. The only way forward is together, and I'm proud of the ones who showed up and kept fighting for that jersey."

Up Next
The AQ women's hockey team will return to South Side Ice Arena to finish the home-and-home vs UM-Dearborn on Saturday night with a 7:00 PM puck drop. There will be no streaming of the game – sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Full stats, notes, and recaps will be available at AQSaints.com — stay tuned for coverage as the Saints continue to grind through their challenging early-season stretch.