For the second time in program history, the No. 7 UConn women’s hockey team (27-8-2) is set to play in the NCAA tournament, as they will travel to Happy Valley to take on No. 11 Princeton (23-10) in the Penn State Regional on Thursday, March 12.
“We can’t take for granted that we’re gonna be in this thing every year,” Head Coach Chris MacKenzie said after practice Monday. “I mean, really just enjoy the moment and prepare yourself to play the best you can and see what happens.”
The Huskies took a pair against Princeton all the way back in October, outscoring the Tigers in the aggregate, 5-1.
However, those were the first two games of the season for the Tigers. The Huskies had played four. A lot can change in five months, especially once a team has a chance to knock the rust off.
One thing that has surely remained steady and possibly even improved is the play of senior Kyla Josifovic.
The captain had the Tigers by the tail across the two-game series, scoring two goals in game one and adding another on a power play the next day.
The forward was also sensational through the Huskies’ run through the Hockey East Tournament. The Ontario native scored a goal in all three games UConn played, including the game winner in the Hockey East Championship against Northeastern in double overtime.
“I think she gained a lot of confidence being voted on as a captain of our team…,” MacKenzie said. “Really, I think that springboarded her confidence. She’s just really asserted herself this year. What she did Saturday, she’s done quite a bit this year, so really happy with her consistency and willingness to improve all four years in her career.”
Beyond Josifovic’s stellar postseason run, nine other Huskies have scored a postseason goal.
Claire Murdoch has produced an outstanding month-plus stretch. After being named Hockey East Player of the Month for February, the forward scored one goal and added six assists across three games in the conference tournament. The sophomore is currently sitting on an eight-game point streak.
“We have depth throughout our lineup,” said senior captain and starting goalie Tia Chan after Monday’s practice. “We have the offensive firepower this year.”
Chan herself is coming off a career-best 57 saves in the overtime win against Northeastern, one that got her named Hockey East Tournament MVP. A top 10 Patty Kazmaier award finalist, Chan has been one of the best goalies in the country, but will have to maintain a level of play that saw her stop 94.6% of shots this season if the Huskies are to have a chance at a deep run.
“It’s a little bit more pressure,” Chan said. “But this team, we love pressure and definitely we’re gonna thrive under it. It’s a special feeling that we will raise a banner in this building, but knowing that there’s another banner that we could raise in this building and it would be the first for ice hockey here, that’s very special.”
For the Tigers, Chan mentioned Issy Wunder and Mackenzie Alexander as players to watch out for on Princeton.
Indeed, the two forwards represent the Tigers’ top two goal scorers. Wunder led the team with 27 goals en route to being named Ivy League Player of the Year. Alexander was right behind her with 22 goals. Both players reached the 40-point mark this year.
Goalkeeper Uma Corniea joined Wunder on the conference first-team list and has stopped 93.7% of shots faced this season.
With a chance at the Nittany Lions in round two on the line, the puck drop for the round one matchup is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Pegula Ice Arena. The game will stream live on ESPN+.
“We’re trying to climb steadily, and this is what we’re doing,” MacKenzie said. “This is another step. We’re in the top ten most of the year. We’re in the NCAA tournament. It’s just another part of trying to be a perennial contender in the NCAA.”