Byron Center, Mich. -- The breakthrough is still coming, but the Aquinas women's hockey team is giving itself something to build on. The Maroon and White showed growing maturity and poise during a challenging home-and-home series against Eastern Michigan, responding to Friday's road loss with a stronger opening Saturday at Southside Ice Arena. Under head coach Tae Otte, the Saints are learning lessons that reach beyond the scoreboard: how to respond, how to support one another and how to keep moving forward together.
Friday: Eastern Michigan 8, Aquinas 0
Aquinas opened the series Friday night in Canton, where Eastern Michigan built a four-goal first-period lead. Izzy Buckett handled the full 60 minutes in goal, making 30 saves against 38 shots. The Saints generated 19 shots of their own, but Eastern Michigan goaltender Alexis Humphris kept AQ off the scoreboard.
Carley Sedlar centered the starting forward group alongside Adeline O'Rourke and MacKenzie Sebenaler, with Anna Sherman and Jax Graham opening on defense. Eastern Michigan added two second-period goals, but Aquinas held the Eagles scoreless over the final 13:19 of the frame. That stretch gave the Saints a measure of stability after the difficult start.
The Eagles added two goals in the third to complete the scoring. Eight minor penalties complicated AQ's efforts to establish momentum, providing another area to address in practice. For the Saints, the quick turnaround offered a chance to regroup and bring those lessons home for Saturday's rematch.
Saturday: Eastern Michigan 6, Aquinas 0
The Saints answered with a stronger start at Southside Ice Arena, holding Eastern Michigan to one first-period goal. Aquinas reached the first intermission trailing just 1–0, a clear improvement over Friday's opening frame. Lucy Quaine joined Sedlar and O'Rourke in the starting forward group, while Sherman and Lorelei Weinrick opened on defense.
Buckett again went the distance, making 36 saves and finishing the weekend with 66 stops. AQ increased its offensive output to 21 shots, continuing to seek the finish against Humphris. Eastern Michigan scored three times in the second period to take a 4–0 lead into the third.
Aquinas kept the Eagles scoreless for nearly 11 minutes to open the final frame before Eastern Michigan added its last two goals. The Saints then allowed no additional scoring over the final 7:54. The results left work to do, but Saturday's improved opening and the team's growing composure provided steps forward for the Maroon and White.
Following the weekend series, Aquinas stands at 0–3 overall, while Eastern Michigan is 2–1–1.
Saints Snapshots
- Saints Answer With a Stronger Start: Aquinas returned home and stayed within one goal through Saturday's first intermission, putting an early lesson from Friday into action.
- Buckett Answers the Bell: Two complete games and 66 saves highlighted a demanding weekend of work for the Aquinas goaltender.
- Together Through the Test: Otte's Saints are learning to lean on one another through adversity, building the unity needed to move forward.
- The Breakthrough Remains the Target: AQ generated 40 shots across the series as the Maroon and White continues working to turn opportunities into goals.
- Poise Taking Root: Greater maturity is becoming part of this team's identity, giving the Saints a foundation to build upon as the season unfolds.
Coach's Comments
Head coach Tae Otte emphasized the effort her players brought to the weekend and the importance of carrying its lessons into practice, particularly the need to stay together through adversity.
"This weekend tested us both mentally and physically, and our players battled hard," Otte said. "We have plenty to work on and learn from, and we're excited to get back to practice and take the next step together. One of the biggest lessons was the importance of staying united and supporting one another when the game isn't going our way. That's part of growing as a team, and we'll carry that lesson forward."
Up Next
Aquinas hosts Saginaw Valley on Friday, Oct. 9, at 5 p.m. at Southside Ice Arena in Byron Center. The contest will be part of a hockey doubleheader on the AQSaints YouTube Network, with Joey Sutherlin on the call.
Visit AQSaints.com for complete coverage of Aquinas women's hockey and all other Saints sports.
It's a great day to be a Saint.
