Ann Arbor Times

Eastern Michigan University's Women's Hockey team concluded its first season with a historic performance, achieving an 18-0-1 record. The team has secured the top position in the Central Region of the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division 2 rankings and earned an invitation to the national championship tournament.

The inclusion of women's hockey in EMU's club sports program has provided student-athletes with a platform for high-level competition while fostering community engagement and school pride. Brett Carlisle, coordinator for Sports Programs and Special Events at Eastern, remarked on the impact: "Adding this team to the club sports program has strengthened campus engagement, fostered leadership development, and enhanced the overall student experience through sport."

Despite having a small roster of only 10 players from diverse academic backgrounds such as exercise science, criminology, and earth science, the team exceeded expectations. Head Coach Taylor Costella and Associate Head Coach Leah Mousigian have been pivotal in promoting women's hockey in Michigan. Costella stated, "EMU offers a strong academic experience, and we take pride in supporting our student-athletes in balancing school and hockey successfully."

The team's achievements include maintaining their No. 1 ranking throughout all four ACHA Division 2 releases this season, defeating several historically strong ACHA D2 teams that have competed at Nationals, and holding a perfect record against ACHA D1 teams.

Costella shared her vision: "From the beginning, Leah and I wanted to create an environment where players could rediscover their love for the game while competing at a high level." Players like Abby Tumpach and Avery Rutherford expressed how joining EMU's Women's Hockey team has transformed their experiences both on and off the ice.

Looking forward, Mousigian outlined plans for growth: "With our ACHA Division 1 acceptance, we aim to continue growing a program that is competitive and supportive." Sam Sitterly reflected on her journey: "During my first year... hard work, perseverance... can help you achieve your goals."

Eastern Michigan University was founded in 1849 as Michigan's second oldest public university. It serves nearly 13,000 students across various disciplines through multiple colleges.