FAIRFIELD, Conn. (August 4, 2023) – The Sacred Heart University women's ice hockey program is excited to formally announce the addition of three incoming transfers for the 2023-24 season. In attention, the Pios are pleased to welcome back two returning players, who have chosen to stay at SHU to use their fifth year of eligibility.
 
Among the transfers, the red and white have added a pair of fifth-year student-athletes in Stephanie Nevers (Trinity (Conn.)) and Emily Wisnewski (Clarkson), while Kate Helgeson (Quinnipiac) will join the Pios for her senior season. Returning to SHU for their fifth year in a Pioneer uniform are Sophie Lupone and Cassandra Nevers, Stephanie's twin sister.
 
Helgeson makes her way down the Merritt Parkway to join the Pios after a pair of seasons with intrastate rival Quinnipiac. The forward suited up for the Bobcats 31 times across two campaigns. She originally hails from Roseau, Minn., and was an All-State selection at Roseau High School as a senior.
 
A blueliner originally from Plymouth, Minn., Wisnewski dressed for 129 games across a four-year undergraduate career at Clarkson. She chipped in nine points on two goals and seven assists, which included 1-3-4 across a career-high 41 games played as a senior a year ago.
 
"I'm looking forward to Kate and Emily coming to Sacred Heart and bringing their ECAC experience to our program," said head coach Thomas O'Malley. "We expect both of them to play impact roles for us immediately."
 
Stephanie Nevers comes to Fairfield to join her sister, Cassandra, in the final year of eligibility for both. Twin forwards from West Suffield, Conn., the pair played their prep hockey at Tilton (N.H.) School and then returned to the Nutmeg State for their collegiate careers. Stephanie logged 65 games at Trinity over the past three years, where she put together an 11-7-18 scoring line, including four game-winning goals. Meanwhile, Cassandra is closing in on 100 career games in a Sacred Heart uniform, as she has tallied 10-14-24 over 98 contests across four seasons with the Pios.
 
"I'm excited to have Stephanie join us and her sister at Sacred Heart, after a prolific career at Trinity," said O'Malley. "I am looking forward to Stephanie bringing her knowledge and experience to our program as well."
 
Like Cassandra Nevers, Lupone returns to SHU's corps of forward with significant experience. The Suffield, Conn., native has played in 104 games for the Pios, including a career-high 35 last season. She reached double digits in points (5-6-11) for the first time as a senior and has a career scoring line of 13-15-28 over four seasons.
 
"I am really happy to have Cassandra and Sophie returning to the program to finish out their eligibility," said O'Malley. "Both have been instrumental for us on and off the ice, and both played key roles in our penalty kill leading the nation last season. I'm looking forward to their fifth year with us."
 
The quintet, along with the rest of the Pios, open the 2023-24 campaign at home on Friday, Sept. 29, with a non-conference tilt against Saint Michael's. Puck drop is set for 4 p.m. at Martire Family Arena.

Pictured, from left to right (photo credits in parentheses): Cassandra Nevers (Greg Vasil), Wisnewski (Clarkson Athletics), Helgeson (Quinnipiac Athletics), Stephanie Nevers (Trinity Athletics), Lupone (Greg Vasil).