By: JAEQWON SUAREZ / MANAGING EDITOR
Shark fans are thrilled as the women’s hockey team has swum its way up to first in the New England Women’s Hockey Alliance (NEWHA).
This is a no-brainer to many onlookers because the Sharks have been on an absolute tear this season. LIU currently has a record of 19-6-3 in conference play; five wins have come in overtime and two from shootouts.
Their teamwork shines on the ice and they’ve made even chillier achievements as some of the players have been recognized for Athlete of the Month honors.
Forward Grace Babington was named Offensive Athlete of the Month for December after some cold shots on the ice. She produced two game-winning goals against Saint Anselm, a feat that should not be taken lightly.
Her partner in crime, Bri Eid, had the honor of being Defensive Athlete of the Month for December as well. The senior managed to block four shots during one of their games against Saint Anselm and she adds the hardware to her Defensive Player of the Year award that she won last season.
Reporter/Photographer Jonathan Singh spoke with the head coach Kelly Nash about the remarkable work of these two girls and how they are finally getting the lights on them.
"It is exciting to see Grace and Bri be recognized and rewarded for what they have been able to accomplish on the ice not just this past month but this season,” she said. "They have both contributed on the scoreboard for our team but also as leaders for us. We are looking forward to seeing what they will bring in 2025 for this second half stretch,” she stated
Graduate student Abbie Thompson has also been on the rise after being recognized for NEWHA Goaltender of the Week Award after leading the Sharks to a two-game split with Sacred Heart; . She’s won the award two weeks in a row and three times overall this season.
All of the individual highlights have been showing up in the team’s overall stats, as the Sharks make about 68% of their shots in games for a total of 57 points. They’ve been successful under the leadership of coach Nash, who won the NEWHA Coach of the Year last season. The team is 62-12-8 in conference play during her three year tenure, the highest winning percentage of any NEWHA coach from 2022-25.
Nash was the first coach to bring the Sharks to their first-ever NCAA Tournament. And for a third straight season, the Sharks are the No. 1 seed heading into the NEWHA Tournament.
"Clinching first speaks to the consistency of an entire season,” Head Coach Nash started. “This was a huge accomplishment for us this year. There is nothing like getting to play at home and we are looking forward to the upcoming challenge.”
The last time the Sharks won the tournament was back in Nash’s inaugural season in 2022. And they’ll look to bring the trophy back this season after Stonehill won it all last year.
The Sharks will take it to the ice against the Purple Knights this upcoming Friday, Feb. 28. Put your fins up to keep our ice hockey team motivated for the next games to come.
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