2025 AAU College Hockey DI/WM National Championship - March 6th Recap

Women’s Division - Preston McAlhany

Syracuse University vs Springfield College 

Women’s play officially started this morning in the AAU College Hockey Nationals with a pair of games that were sure to be hard hitters right out of the gate. The UNYCHL Champions, Syracuse, took on Springfield College in a bout that was all Orange. 

Syracuse’s offense was put on total display with two quick goals from Neve Padulo early in the 1st period, including a short-handed goal. While on that same power play, Springfield attempted to even things out with a score by Ashley Welch, but the Orange already had the momentum it needed to keep going, as Leah Landry snuck in an unassisted shot to make it 3-1. 

Bailey McDevitt tried to get the Pride back into the game and cut the deficit to one, but Padulo got the game-winning goal early into the 2nd period. From there, it was pure dominance from the undefeated squad, as Syracuse picked up four more goals in the 3rd period. 

Syracuse’s dominance continued as they won the game 8-3, hoping to beat the rest of the teams in the pool. Going forward, Springfield's defense will need to make better plays on the puck. 

Final Score:

Springfield College - 8

Syracuse University - 3

 

University of Tampa vs University of Alabama 

On the other side of things, the College Hockey South champions, Alabama, faced a familiar foe in the Tampa Spartans. These two squads dominated in CHS all season, with Alabama even beating the Spartans in the conference championship game by a single goal. Despite the season record being 1-1 for these teams, it was all revenge for Tampa. 

The Spartans came out with pure speed to kick things off, with Tess Marchi scoring the first goal confidently in the 1st period. Marchi struck again early in the 2nd period to get the momentum going for her team. Alabama tried to get back in the game with a bar-down goal from Katherine Sabre on a power play, but it wasn't enough for the Frozen Tide. 

The next Tampa goal was the game-winning one, with Molly McDowell sneaking one in from the left corner early in the 3rd period. The rest of the game saw a single unassisted goal for each team, but Tampa’s speed and precision won the game 4-2, and the Spartans successfully exacted revenge for the CHS Championship game. 

Alabama will have to work on its communication heading into the remainder of pool play, as the Tide’s lack of accurate passing led to multiple missed scoring opportunities. They will be tested again when they battle Syracuse to start day 2 of women’s play. Right beside them will Springfield, trying to bounce back as the Pride takes on the Lady Spartans of Tampa. 

Final Score:

University of Tampa - 4

University of  Alabama - 2

 

Division 1

Pool A - Kelly Kaelblein 

Niagara University vs. Sacred Heart University

The Niagara Purple Eagles dominated the Sacred Heart Pioneers, 7-1, to remain undefeated in pool play. 

Niagara opened the scoring within the last five minutes of the first, as Logan Scanlon found the back of the net with help from Ethan Knauf. The Purps scored three more goals before the period’s conclusion: one from Benji Orgil on the power play, another 32 seconds later from Matthew Gagnon, and the last from Knauf with 1:35 on the clock. 

Niagara’s Jacob Przystal extended his team’s lead to 5-0 with the only goal of the middle frame, netting one on the power play with 3:16 left in the period.

The Purple Eagles added another power-play goal halfway through the third, courtesy of Angelo Donzella. Sacred Heart got on the scoreboard with 7:57 left in the contest while on its power play, but Niagara collected its seventh and final goal with 1:42 on the clock to punctuate its dominant win.

The Pioneers will look to bounce back tomorrow at 2 p.m. against Binghamton. In contrast, Niagara will look to close out its pool play slate undefeated with a win over also-undefeated Georgia at 8:15 p.m.

Final Score:

Niagara University - 7

Sacred Heart University - 1

 

Georgia vs. Binghamton

The Georgia Ice Dawgs defeated the Binghamton Bearcats, 3-2, to tally their second win of the weekend. 

The Ice Dawgs got on the board first, as Luke Burnett found the back of the net with 13:42 on the clock. Binghamton’s Brendan Maher responded with 2:40 to go, tying the game at 1-1 entering the middle frame.

Georgia reclaimed its lead in the second with two goals: one from Alex Laracy at 9:27 and the other from Evan Parente at 13:36. 

The Bearcats collected a second goal on the power play in the third — the only goal of the period — but the deficit was too great to overcome, and they fell short, 3-2. 

The Ice Dawg’s win sets up a win-and-in situation Friday against Niagara to see who advances out of Pool A.

Final Score:

University of Georgia - 3

Binghamton University - 2

 

Pool B - Gavin Coker

St. Bonaventure University vs Auburn University

The St. Bonaventure Bonnies and Auburn University Tigers opened the day for Pool B as they both looked to get into the win column. It didn’t take long for the Bonnies to get control early in the first period, scoring two goals in under a minute. They applied the pressure by adding three goals and closing the period with a 5-0 lead.

The Bonnies continued to build momentum in the second period, adding two more goals with seven unanswered going into the final period of play. Auburn University ruined the shutout as Callen Daily found the back of the net, scoring the only goal for the Tigers. St. Bonaventure closed the game with two more en route to a 9-1 win. 

The Bonnies improved to 1-1 heading into the final day of pool play, sitting right behind Tampa in Pool B. Meanwhile, Auburn fell to 0-2, eliminating them from moving to the semi-finals. The second matchup of the day saw the University of Tampa Spartans take on the Fairfield University Stags.

Final Score:

St. Bonaventure University - 9

Auburn University - 1

 

University of Tampa vs Fairfield University

The University of Tampa Spartans took to the ice against the Fairfield University Stags as both squads looked to take the top spot in the conference. Both teams struggled to find their game early, with a scoreless first period for both sides. 

The Spartans broke the deadlock, scoring two quick goals as Ryan Andrews and Alexander Moeller capitalized on two powerplay opportunities to take a 2-0 lead in the second period. Alexander Moeller continued to roll for Tampa with another power-play goal two minutes later. Fairfield University took advantage of a powerplay of their own to close out the second period down 3-1. Unfortunately for the Stags, they could not break Tampa’s defense in the third period, as Colm Trainor and Ryan Andrews tacked on two more goals to secure a 5-1 win for the Spartans. 

The University of Tampa returned to the top of Pool B with a 2-0 record, with an opportunity to clinch a spot in the semi-finals. Despite the loss, Fairfield can still find a way to the finals with a win over Auburn University and a Tampa loss to St. Bonaventure. Fairfield would also have to have the fewest goals against to break the potential tie three-way 2-1 record tie. It should be an exciting final day for Pool B as three teams battle to win a spot in the semi-finals on Saturday.

Final Score:

University of Tampa - 5 

Fairfield University - 1

 

Pool C - Caroline Delaney

Farmingdale State College vs University of Alabama

The Farmingdale State University Rams handed the University of Alabama their second straight nationals loss today with a 5-1 win. 

Like their previous game against Delaware, the Rams began the game by scoring the only goal of the first period (Michael LoRicco). Three minutes into the second, Farmingdale’s Thomas Konkowski put away the Rams' second goal of the game. Alabama responded with their only goal of the day from Jake Dierks. This was the most eventful period, with eight penalties between both teams. 

Farmingdale proceeded to shut out Alabama for the remainder of the game. Tim Duffy and Luciano Signoretti solidified the Farmingdale victory with goals in the middle of the third.

Final Score:

Farmingdale State College - 5

University of Alabama - 1

 

University of South Carolina vs University of Delaware 

The University of Delaware pulled off an overtime 4-3 upset against the reigning national champions, the University of South Carolina Gamecocks. 

The Blue Hens shut out South Carolina for the entirety of the first period. Cam Raifstanger scored the period’s only goal. The second period started with an immediate score from Blue Hen Ryan Anatra. With two minutes to go, the Gamecocks began mounting a comeback with a goal from Brendan Flaherty.

South Carolina proved they weren’t yet out of the race and earned the first point of the third with a goal from Sevario Marcella. Delaware answered with an Alex Birchard goal to retake the lead. Just as it began to appear that Delaware would put this game away, John Riggins tied the score for the Gamecocks, sending the game into overtime.

After a third-period thriller and overtime, Ryan Anatra scored for the Blue Hens, bringing the final score to 4-3. 

Though South Carolina dropped the game in overtime, the ‘Cocks are still in position to win Pool C with a victory of any fashion against Farmingdale State on Friday. The Rams are also in position to advance with a win against the defending champs.

Final Score (OT):

University of Delaware - 4

University of South Carolina - 3

 

Pool D - Jyesha Nance

University of Tennessee vs Quinnipiac University 

Day 2 of the AAU Hockey Nationals in Jacksonville was a day of redemption and shortcomings for two powerhouse teams. The Tennessee Volunteers bounced back from an earlier loss to defeat Quinnipiac 4-1, while the University of Florida Gators suffered a tough 4-2 defeat to the Buffalo Bulls. 

The Volunteers came out with determination after a shaky start to the tournament. Facing  Quinnipiac, they were focused on regaining their momentum in front of an excited crowd at  Jacksonville Ice. The Volunteers did just that, dominating the ice from the first drop of the puck. 

The Volunteers wasted no time setting the tone; their offensive attack was relentless, and their defense played precisely to ensure Quinnipiac could not mount a comeback. Despite a late-game push from the Braves in the second period, the Volunteers remained firm and added one more goal to seal a solid 4-1 win.  

Final Score:

University of Tennessee - 4

Quinnipiac University - 1

 

University at Buffalo vs University of Florida

On the other side of the rink, the Gators hoped to continue their strong start in the tournament, but a tenacious Buffalo team dashed those dreams. The Bulls struck first with a quick goal in the first period, giving their fans hope for another victory.

 However, the Gators answered with the Horwitz brothers bash to take a 2-1 lead. Jacob Horwitz tied the game through the second, and Noah Horwitz put Florida in front. Florida carried the lead deep into the third period, but Buffalo mounted a comeback.

The Bulls buried three goals in the final seven minutes to steal their second tournament win and keep their Nationals destiny in their own hands. If Buffalo beats Tennessee tomorrow, they will win Pool D.

Final Score:

University at Buffalo - 4

University of Florida - 2