Byron Center, Mich. -- The scoreboard may have favored Michigan State in a hard fought affair, but the feeling inside Southside Ice Arena told a much bigger story Friday night. A new era of Aquinas women's hockey arrived with discipline, togetherness and a refusal to surrender, giving the Maroon and White something meaningful to build upon in their first game under head coach Taelynn "Tae" Otte. There were mistakes to correct and standards still to reach, but beneath it all was the sweet smell of a brighter tomorrow beginning to surround the Saints.
Michigan State 2, Aquinas 1
Michigan State created the first breakthrough when Abby Yesh scored from Abby Wrobleski with 12:35 remaining in the opening period. Rather than allowing the early deficit to dictate the night, Aquinas remained composed and continued working within its structure. Izzy Buckett stood firm as the Spartans generated pressure, giving the Saints time to settle into their season opener. AQ received two first-period power plays but was unable to convert against the Michigan State penalty kill.
Aquinas' persistence was rewarded with three minutes remaining in the period when Joleena Manone connected with Jax Graham for the first Saints goal of 2026-27. Graham's equalizer sent the Maroon and White into the first intermission tied at 1-1 and offered the first glimpse of a team unwilling to disappear when challenged. Graham and Manone were also among AQ's most active offensive threats with three shots on goal apiece. Reyna Dominczak and Carley Sedlar matched that total, while Anna Sherman added two shots from the blue line.
Michigan State regained the lead just 29 seconds into the second period when Kiera Modder scored from Avery Hayward. Buckett responded by refusing to allow another puck past her for the final 39:31, keeping Aquinas one shot away from tying the game. The Saints successfully killed a Manone interference penalty midway through the period and later erased another Michigan State power play created by Paige Ike's roughing penalty. Each situation provided another example of AQ maintaining its composure without sacrificing its willingness to compete or stand up for a teammate.
That discipline was among the most noticeable changes from a season ago. At several important moments, the Saints could have reacted with a retaliatory or overly aggressive penalty, but instead they stayed connected and returned their attention to the next shift. Aquinas played with emotion without allowing that emotion to control the game, reflecting a new culture that demands every player work as part of one cohesive unit. The Saints faced one final test after Paisleigh Upshaw was called for high-sticking in the third, but AQ completed a perfect three-for-three night on the penalty kill.
That commitment extended throughout the Aquinas lineup. Sherman and Manone helped AQ remain organized in front of Buckett, while Upshaw, Ike, Lucy Quaine, Dominczak, Elizabeth Bruso and Sedlar consistently worked back into the Saints' defensive structure. Caitlyn Wright, Adeline O'Rourke, Lorelei Weinrick, Zofia Orlowska, Graham and MacKenzie Sebenaler also embraced their two-way responsibilities, giving Michigan State very little uncontested space despite the Spartans' shot advantage. Upshaw, Ike, Wright and Weinrick each added a shot on goal as Aquinas continued searching for the equalizer.
Buckett finished her season debut with 43 saves against 45 Michigan State shots. Every Saint who logged minutes contributed to a connected defensive effort that kept Michigan State scoreless for the final 39:31 and ensured the game remained one shot away from overtime. Aquinas played hard for all 60 minutes, never quit and never allowed the Spartans to become comfortable with their one-goal advantage. There were parts of the performance that did not meet the program's new standard, but those shortcomings were identifiable, teachable and correctable. More importantly, the heart, discipline and collective commitment needed to build something better were already beginning to take hold—and inside Southside Ice Arena, there was the unmistakably sweet smell of a brighter tomorrow for Saints women's hockey.
With the win, Michigan State opens the season at 1-0, while Aquinas drops the first match of the 2026-27 campaign, fall to 0-1.
Saints Snapshots
- A NEW STANDARD TAKES THE ICE: Aquinas competed with discipline, composure and togetherness in the first game of the Tae Otte era.
- BUCKETT REFUSED TO BREAK: Izzy Buckett stopped 43 shots and held Michigan State scoreless over the final 39:31.
- GRAHAM STRIKES FIRST: Jax Graham delivered AQ's first goal of 2026-27, pulling the Saints even late in the opening period.
- EMOTION WITHOUT RETALIATION: The Maroon and White stood up for one another without falling into the undisciplined penalties that too often altered games last season.
- A BRIGHTER TOMORROW: The result was a one-goal loss, but the Saints' 60-minute effort offered the first unmistakable evidence of a changing culture.
Coach's Comments
Otte's first game behind the Aquinas bench did not produce the result the Saints wanted, but it revealed a group beginning to embrace a different standard. The mistakes were correctable; the heart, commitment and willingness to play for one another were already present.
"The girls played with so much heart tonight, and they have done a great job buying into the new team culture we are building together," Otte said. "I was proud of the discipline and composure we showed while still competing hard and standing up for one another. We have things that were not acceptable and must be corrected, but those are all things we can fix. This is only the beginning, and I am excited to watch our continued growth."
Up Next
Aquinas returns to action next weekend with a home-and-home series against the Eagles of Eastern Michigan University.
The Saints travel to Eastern Michigan on Friday, Oct. 2, for an 8:35 p.m. opening faceoff. The series shifts to Southside Ice Arena on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 1:30 p.m.
Saturday's home game will stream live on the AQSaints YouTube Network, with Joey Sutherlin on the call.
For complete coverage of Aquinas Athletics, including stories, stats, highlights, and more, visit AQSaints.com.
It's a great day to be a Saint.
