Grand Rapids, MI – The Emma Hoch era of Aquinas women's hockey wasted no time in setting a tone. The Saints were thrown straight into the fire with a grueling three-games-in-three-days opening weekend, hitting the trail at a full sprint right out of the gate. For Hoch, it was baptism by fire as the new head coach, and for her team, it was an early test of grit, depth, and determination to prove they can battle through the grind from the very first puck drop to the final horn.

Friday, September 26, 2025 @ Southside Ice Arena

Davenport 4, Aquinas 2

Aquinas opened its season with energy and resilience against Davenport. Joleena Manone gave the Saints their first goal of the year, finishing off a feed from Anna Sherman late in the second period to cut into the Panthers' early lead. In the third, Elizabeth Bruso added her first collegiate goal, set up by a steady play from veteran defender Kate Kramm. Despite a strong outing in net from Izzy Buckett, who faced 34 shots, the Saints couldn't quite close the gap. One of the key moments came midway through the third when Bruso's tally brought new life to the bench, giving Aquinas momentum before Davenport managed to put the game away.

Saturday, September 27, 2025 @ Patterson Ice Arena

Aquinas 2, Davenport 1 OT (Tie in Conference play)

If Friday showed the Saints' resilience, Saturday revealed their grit. Freshman standout Anna Castle scored her first collegiate goal in the opening frame, striking unassisted to put AQ ahead. Goaltender Lila Dial was sharp all afternoon, stopping 40 shots and keeping her team alive in tense moments. While Davenport tied the contest in the second, Aquinas refused to back down. With the game going beyond regulation, the contest went beyond the three periods, where Anna Sherman delivered a dazzling, highlight-reel winner to seal an unforgettable victory for the Saints. The bench erupted as the team mobbed Sherman, and the emotion in Patterson Ice Arena was electric. Castle's creativity in forcing the shootout and Dial's clutch performance anchored a night that will be remembered as an early defining moment for Hoch's program.

Sunday, September 28, 2025 @ Griff's Georgetown

GVSU 11, Aquinas 1

Three games in three days ended with a tough test against Grand Valley State. Despite the final score, the Saints found a bright spot when Paige Ike buried her first goal of the season in the second period off a feed from Castle. Dial once again shouldered a heavy workload in net, facing 59 shots. A key moment came midway through the second when Ike's goal cut the deficit to 3–1, giving the Saints a spark and forcing GVSU to reset defensively. Though the Lakers' depth eventually took over, the game provided another layer of experience for a Saints squad determined to grow.

Inside the Numbers

• 2 – First collegiate goals scored by Joleena Manone and Elizabeth Bruso on opening night
• 40 – Saves by Lila Dial in Saturday's gritty performance
• 3 – Points for Anna Castle across the weekend (1 G, 2 A)
• 2 – Venues in Grand Rapids where AQ competed in the first two games
• 1 – Electrifying shootout winner by Anna Sherman to cap Saturday's thriller

Coaches' Comment

First-year Head Coach Emma Hoch reflected on her team's grueling debut weekend:

"Davenport (Friday) was a tough loss, but we're only going to get better as the season goes on. Saturday was just a taste of our level of competitiveness and what we plan to bring to the table every game. Our locker room was electric, and our level of intensity never wavered. We battled hard and long, and I couldn't be prouder. To win it like we did is a great boost for the program. Today's score against GVSU isn't indicative of how hard we played, but three games in three days will help build our endurance for the rest of the season. All told, it was a great start to the 2025–26 season."

Up Next

The AQ women's hockey team will be hitting the road for the UP and a pair of games in Sault Ste. Marie to challenge Lake Superior. On Saturday, the opening face-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM, followed by a 1:00 PM start on Sunday. AQSaints.com will have all the stats, notes, and recaps, so be sure to check back for all the details.