Niagara Falls, NY — Learning while losing is never easy. Nobody enjoys it, and at times it can feel like nonsense to believe that growth can come from defeat. Yet for the Aquinas women's hockey team, they're living proof that adversity can be the best teacher. The Saints battled a top-10 Niagara squad on the road this weekend, competing with a short bench but continuing to show resilience, heart, and flashes of promise that will fuel their continued development. As Steven Tyler once sang, "You've got to lose to know how to win."

Friday, November 7, 2025 @ Niagara Falls, NY

Niagara 15, Aquinas 1

The Saints fought hard from the opening faceoff despite facing one of the top-ranked teams in the country. Izzy Buckett was busy between the pipes, making 74 saves in the contest while facing relentless offensive pressure. Bridgett Clay netted the lone Aquinas goal late in the third period on the power play, capitalizing off an assist from Reyna Dominczak to break the shutout and give the Saints a well-earned highlight to close the night.

The leadership group of Paige Ike, Sydney Clark, and Anna Castle provided defensive grit throughout the contest, while Joleena Manone and Lorelei Weinrick worked to block lanes and limit quality chances against. Though the score was lopsided, the Saints continued to compete in every zone and earned valuable lessons in poise, positioning, and perseverance against a deep and talented opponent.

Saturday, November 8, 2025 @ Niagara Falls, NY

Niagara 12, Aquinas 0

The Saints returned to the ice Saturday morning determined to show growth and energy in game two. Despite being outshot heavily, Buckett once again stood tall, turning aside 67 shots while controlling rebounds and demonstrating resilience through all three periods. Bridgett Clay and Reyna Dominczak continued to drive the offense, while Cali Lindbeck, Elizabeth Bruso, and Anna Sherman created key zone entries for the Saints.

On the blue line, Sydney Clark and Paige Ike maintained a physical edge, each absorbing tough minutes while helping the young team stay composed. Though the scoreboard tilted toward Niagara, the Saints' collective effort and communication showed improvement from start to finish, continuing their focus on building habits that will pay off in the long run.

Inside the Numbers (Weekend Totals)

     • 151 saves by Izzy Buckett over two games (74 Friday, 77 Saturday)
     • Bridgett Clay's first collegiate power-play goal
     • Reyna Dominczak's first assist of the season
     • Aquinas blocked 12 total shots as a team
     • Saints played both games with just 13 skaters

Coach's Comment

Head Coach was handling a family situation and was unable to attend the weekend, so Director of Hockey Operations Brandon Rozema filled in and shared his thoughts:

"The women's hockey at Aquinas will continue to grow and get better. This weekend they played with a short bench against #10 in the nation Niagara. I was very fortunate to make the trip and coach the team. I am looking forward to coaching them when we don't have any men's games.
They are a great group — they want to get better, they ask questions, they're respectful, and most importantly I'm proud of them and their efforts this weekend."

Up Next

The Saints get a week off before beginning a home-and-home with Eastern Michigan on Friday, November 21 in Ypsilanti, before returning to the Southside Ice Arena the following Saturday. 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.