Women's Ice Hockey Set for Another NEWHA Showdown Against LIU

Friday, February 13

Fairfield, Conn.

5:00 PM

Sacred Heart University Department of Athletics

LIU

Photo by: Josh Gee

Women's Ice Hockey Set for Another NEWHA Showdown Against LIU

2/12/2026 9:00:00 AM | Women's Ice Hockey

Game Notes

The Pioneers will look to extend their win streak

By: Joe Verrillo

Fairfield, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University women's ice hockey team is set for another home-and-home series against New England Women's Hockey Alliance (NEWHA) foe, LIU. Game one is scheduled for Friday, February 13, at the Martire Family Arena, with puck drop set for 5:00 p.m. The series will then end in Long Island for game two on Saturday, February 14, with puck drop set for 7:00 p.m.

Top Headlines:

The Pioneers are coming off their third straight series sweep, extending their winning streak to six games. Both victories came in dramatic fashion, with overtime game-winners from Ally Cohen on Friday and Hailey Jussila on Saturday. Riding their strongest momentum of the season, the Pioneers will look to carry this dominant stretch forward as the NEWHA playoffs approach.
The Pioneers' defense has been a key factor throughout this winning streak. They have lowered their average goals against to 2.80, a significant improvement from just a couple of weeks ago when that number was well into the 3.00 range. They have also been outstanding on the penalty kill, raising their penalty kill percentage to above 80%.
Heading into this week, the Pioneers have a new points leader in Bria Holm, who has overtaken her sister, Ella, for the team lead. Holm has totaled six goals this season and has been an exceptional playmaker, recording nine assists for a team-leading 15 points. Over the past few weeks, Holm has been on fire offensively and will look to continue her dominant play as the Pioneers prepare for another important NEWHA series.
Senior defender Olivia LaRoche has continued to anchor the Pioneers' defense. She leads the team with 66 blocked shots, 30 more than the next highest total on the roster. In addition to her defensive presence, LaRoche leads the team with 10 assists, showcasing her ability to contribute offensively as well. Her playmaking and steady defensive performance have made her a major impact on both ends of the ice throughout the season.
Senior Julianna Koman leads the Pionerrs in plus minus with a plus five. She has been a difference maker all year long. This year, she has two goals on the season along with seven assists. She also has the second-most blocked shots on the team with 36.
Senior goaltender Jillian Petruno has been one of the top netminders in the conference all season long. Petruno has lowered her goals-against average to 1.94, which ranks second in the NEWHA. She has also recorded 695 total saves, bringing her save percentage to an impressive .946, also second in the conference. Petruno is coming off another shutout victory, marking the tenth shutout of her career.

History vs LIU:

SHU and LIU have built a competitive history over the years, with LIU holding the overall edge in the series. SHU enters the matchup with an 11-19-1 all-time record, having struggled at home (3-13) but finding more success on the road (8-6-1). The rivalry has tightened recently, though, with the last ten meetings split evenly at 5-5, showing just how closely matched the teams have become.
This season featured a home-and-home series that perfectly captured that balance. Sacred Heart delivered an emphatic statement on the road, earning a 5-1 victory at LIU on November 21, 2025. The scoring effort was as balanced as it gets, with five different players finding the back of the net—Pascucci, Koman, Limke, Addie Bowlby, and Sami Bowlby. The Pioneers built momentum as the game went on, scoring twice in the second period and adding three more in the third. Petruno was strong in net, stopping 26 shots and allowing just one goal.
The following night, November 22, the series shifted to Sacred Heart's home ice, where LIU responded with a 4-2 win. The Pioneers' offense again came alive in the second period, with goals from Ella Holm and LaRoche, but the team couldn't quite complete the comeback. Petruno and Wendell split time in goal, each recording 14 saves. Petruno allowed three goals, while Wendell surrendered one, as LIU held on down the stretch.
Looking back to last season, SHU and LIU met five times, with Sacred Heart holding a narrow 3-2 advantage in those matchups. Once again, location played a role. The Pioneers went 2-1 on the road and split the two home games at 1-1.

On LIU:

LIU enters the matchup playing strong hockey, carrying a 15-14-1 overall record and a 13-10-1 mark in NEWHA play. They have been particularly solid at home, where they are 7-4-1, while posting an 8-10-0 record on the road. Their ability to compete in tight conference games has kept them firmly in the NEWHA race, sitting at No. 5, 4 points ahead of Sacred Heart.
Last weekend, LIU made a statement by sweeping the top-ranked team in the conference, Saint Anselm, in dramatic fashion. Both victories came in overtime by identical 3-2 scores. SHU faced Saint Anselm three weekends earlier, earning a pair of wins on January 23–24 with 5-2 and 3-1 victories.
Offensively, LIU is led by Grace Babington, one of the most productive players in the conference. She ranks second in the NEWHA in total points with 30 and third in goals with 12, while also leading LIU in both goals (12) and assists (14).
Between the pipes, Victoria Rutnik has been a cornerstone of LIU's success. She leads the NEWHA in win percentage at .727 and ranks fourth in save percentage at .936.
Another goaltender who has been getting significant playing time is Clara Kammholz. Kammholz holds a 2.41 goals-against average and has recorded 467 saves, resulting in an impressive .917 save percentage.
Defensively, Sam Mathe anchors the effort with a team-high 66 blocked shots, 26 more than the next closest teammate.

Up Next:

Following the home-and-home series with LIU, the Pioneers will have one more series before the start of the NEWHA playoffs.
They will face off against Assumption in another home-and-home series, one that carries significant NEWHA playoff implications. Game one is scheduled on the road for Friday, February 20, at 7:10 p.m., while game two will take place on Saturday, February 21, at 1:00 p.m. at Martire Family Arena for Senior Day.