Fairfield, Conn – The Sacred Heart University women's ice hockey team will welcome Saint Anselm to Martire Family Arena this weekend for a two-game New England Women's Hockey Alliance (NEWHA) series. Game one is scheduled for Friday, January 23, at 5:00 pm, and game two is scheduled for Saturday, January 24, at 2:00 pm. 
 
Top Headlines:

• Sacred Heart split the weekend series with Stonehill, falling 4–1 on Friday before earning a 2–2 tie on Saturday and securing the extra point with a 1–0 shootout win. The results move the Pioneers to 5–17–2 overall and 4–12–2 in NEWHA play. Sacred Heart has 10 conference games remaining as it looks to add more wins down the stretch.
• Despite splitting the weekend series against Stonehill, there were several positives for Sacred Heart to take away. Peyton Bennetts continued to be a key offensive contributor, scoring in both games. She notched her second goal of the season in Friday's opener and followed it up with a third goal on Saturday, helping the Pioneers erase a late deficit and force overtime. Hailey Jussila also made an impact in the second game, scoring an unassisted goal at the 4:00 mark of the third period to tie the game 2–2, showcasing her ability to deliver in clutch moments. Campbell Heger sealed the weekend with the shootout-winning goal, giving the Pioneers a much-needed victory
• Sacred Heart also excelled in the faceoff circle and in generating scoring chances. The Pioneers dominated faceoffs 43–29 in game two, and outshot Stonehill 43–26 on Friday and 37–49 on Saturday, including outshooting them 9–3 in overtime. While the team struggled to convert its shot advantage in the opener, they controlled possession effectively and created quality opportunities throughout the weekend.
• Senior captain Jillian Petruno was a standout in goal, finishing the weekend with 47 saves. She made 15 saves in Friday's loss while splitting time with Mia Wendell and then recorded a stellar 47-save performance in Saturday's shootout win, including critical stops in overtime and the shootout itself. Petruno's consistent play between the pipes has been crucial in keeping Sacred Heart competitive and providing the team with a chance to succeed in every game.
• Offensively, Lake Bethard contributed an assist in Friday's game, giving her three on the season, while the Pioneers received strong contributions from Grayson Limke, who recorded six shots on goal on Saturday. These performances, combined with the team's resilience and strong goaltending, highlight the Pioneers' ability to respond under pressure and set a positive tone as they continue through the remainder of the NEWHA season.

 
History vs Saint Anselm:

• The two programs last met on Halloween weekend, when the Pioneers traveled to Manchester, New Hampshire. Saint Anselm swept the series, earning a 4–1 victory in game one and a 3–1 win in game two.
• This weekend will mark the 48th and 49th meetings between the two programs. Saint Anselm holds a commanding advantage in the all-time series, posting a 29-13-5 record against the Pioneers. With familiarity on both sides, the Pioneers will look to make a statement and climb the NEWHA standings with a pair of wins over the league's current top-ranked team.

 
On Saint Anselm:

• Saint Anselm has had tons of success this season, led by its strong defensive play. The Hawks are allowing just 2.3 goals per game while scoring an average of 2.9 goals per contest, a formula that has fueled their success.
• Saint Anselm has benefited from strong play between the pipes this season, relying on a duo of effective goaltenders. First-year Kayla Czukoski has handled most of the starts for the Hawks, appearing in 20 games and recording 821 saves. She owns a .943 save percentage, is allowing an average of 2.52 goals against per game and has posted one shutout on the season. Joining her in net is sophomore Julia Matyas, who has also found success in limited action. Matyas has appeared in five games and turned aside 150 shots, good for an impressive .968 save percentage. She carries a 1.18 goals-against average and has recorded two shutouts.
• On the offensive side of the ice, senior Brooklyn Schneiderhan has been dominant, showing that she is the best offensive player in the NEWHA this season. She leads the conference in points (31) and goals (17), while ranking second in assists with 14. In addition to those impressive numbers, Schneiderhan has scored three power-play goals, added four short-handed goals, and netted three game-winning goals. The Pioneers will need a strong defensive effort to contain her, as she remains one of the most dangerous players in the conference.
• Serving as the team's second-leading scorer, sophomore Lucy DeCoteau has been a key contributor for the Hawks this season. DeCoteau has tallied nine goals and seven assists for 16 points and leads the team in power-play goals. Beyond her offensive production, she has recorded 23 blocked shots, highlighting her ability to make an impact at both ends of the ice.
• First-year defender Avery Wilson has been a key presence on the blue line for the Hawks this season, leading the team with 38 blocked shots. She has anchored the defensive unit night in and night out, while also contributing offensively with one goal and six assists. Wilson has shown flashes of strong play making ability, making her an effective two-way defender.
• Junior Brenna Young leads the NEWHA with a conference-best plus-minus rating of +15, and her presence on the ice consistently produces positive results for the Hawks. She has recorded two goals and five assists on the season, while also adding 25 blocked shots. Young's ability to contribute in all facets of the game has made her one of the most impactful players in the conference.

 
Up Next:

• Following the two-game home series against Saint Anselm, the Pioneers will hit the road for a two-game series at Saint Michael's in Colchester, Vermont. Game one is scheduled for Friday, January 30 at 7:20 p.m., followed by game two on Saturday, January 31 at 2:00 p.m.