Women's Hockey Announces 2024-25 Captains
6/13/2024 10:30:00 AM | Women's Ice Hockey
Four Pios named to lead 30th season of SHU women's hockey
FAIRFIELD, Conn. — In preparation for the 2024-25 season, Sacred Heart University women's ice hockey head coach Thomas O'Malley has announced the captains for next year's squad. Paige McNeil and Sydney Antonakis will serve as co-captains with Kate Helgeson and Jillian Petruno serving as the alternate captains for the 30th season of women's hockey at SHU.
McNeil returns to the Pioneers for a fifth season in the Red & White after having a bounce-back season in 2023-24. A native of Shakopee, Minn., McNeil finished tied-third on the team in points with an 18-point campaign after having her junior season cut short. She had five multi-point games during the 2023-24 campaign including a three-point outing against Post on December 8 in what was a 3-0 win for the Pioneers. Serving as a co-captain this upcoming season, McNeil has played in 104 games and accrued 65 points during her four years with the Pios.
Serving as co-captain this season, Antonakis returns to Martire Family Arena for her second year on the leadership team after previously serving as the alternate captain during the 2023-24 campaign. Having transferred from RIT after her first-year season, Antonakis finished fifth on the team in points with an impressive 17-point season in 2023-24. Her 10 assists were a new single-season high and were third most among skaters last season. A native of Elko New Market, Minn., Antonakis has appeared in 71 games for SHU and has posted single-season career bests in points in consecutive seasons.
With a welcome 18-point campaign in her first season at SHU, Helgeson returns for her senior year campaign as an alternate captain for the Pios. Helgeson, who transferred to SHU after two seasons at nearby Quinnipiac, finished tied for third on the team in points with 18 on the year and sat tied for the team lead in assists with 13 assists in 31 games played. Helgeson was instrumental during the season for the Pioneers on the top line, finishing the season with six multi-point games including a two goal, one assist outing in a 5-2 win over Saint Michael's on February 2.
Petruno rounds out the four member leadership team by earning the "A" after an impressive sophomore campaign. Having missed the entirety of her first year season with SHU, the Michigan native quickly earned the No. 1 spot between the pipes and posted a 10-16-2 record while appearing in 30 games. A two-time New England Women's Hockey Alliance (NEWHA) Goalie of the Month and NEWHA Goalie of the Week, Petruno was also named to the Hockey Commissioner's Association Goaltender of the Year Watch list last season. Ranking among the top goalies in the conference, Petruno finished first in the conference in goals against average (1.93) and ranked second in save percentage (.942) during the regular season which earned her All-Conference Second Team honors.
McNeil returns to the Pioneers for a fifth season in the Red & White after having a bounce-back season in 2023-24. A native of Shakopee, Minn., McNeil finished tied-third on the team in points with an 18-point campaign after having her junior season cut short. She had five multi-point games during the 2023-24 campaign including a three-point outing against Post on December 8 in what was a 3-0 win for the Pioneers. Serving as a co-captain this upcoming season, McNeil has played in 104 games and accrued 65 points during her four years with the Pios.
Serving as co-captain this season, Antonakis returns to Martire Family Arena for her second year on the leadership team after previously serving as the alternate captain during the 2023-24 campaign. Having transferred from RIT after her first-year season, Antonakis finished fifth on the team in points with an impressive 17-point season in 2023-24. Her 10 assists were a new single-season high and were third most among skaters last season. A native of Elko New Market, Minn., Antonakis has appeared in 71 games for SHU and has posted single-season career bests in points in consecutive seasons.
With a welcome 18-point campaign in her first season at SHU, Helgeson returns for her senior year campaign as an alternate captain for the Pios. Helgeson, who transferred to SHU after two seasons at nearby Quinnipiac, finished tied for third on the team in points with 18 on the year and sat tied for the team lead in assists with 13 assists in 31 games played. Helgeson was instrumental during the season for the Pioneers on the top line, finishing the season with six multi-point games including a two goal, one assist outing in a 5-2 win over Saint Michael's on February 2.
Petruno rounds out the four member leadership team by earning the "A" after an impressive sophomore campaign. Having missed the entirety of her first year season with SHU, the Michigan native quickly earned the No. 1 spot between the pipes and posted a 10-16-2 record while appearing in 30 games. A two-time New England Women's Hockey Alliance (NEWHA) Goalie of the Month and NEWHA Goalie of the Week, Petruno was also named to the Hockey Commissioner's Association Goaltender of the Year Watch list last season. Ranking among the top goalies in the conference, Petruno finished first in the conference in goals against average (1.93) and ranked second in save percentage (.942) during the regular season which earned her All-Conference Second Team honors.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Ice HockeySaige Harper Paris 2024
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