FAIRFIELD, Conn. - The Sacred Heart women's hockey team is back in the friendly confines of the Martire Family Arena for the first time in more than a month this weekend. The first-place Pioneers host the Stonehill Skyhawks for a pair of NEWHA games on Friday and Saturday. The opening faceoff on both days is set for 2 p.m. 

 

• SHU (12-8-2, 11-3-2 NEWHA) enters the weekend with an impressive 8-1-1 record in its last 10 conference matchups, solidifying its position atop the NEWHA standings. The Skyhawks enter the weekend with a 7-14-2 overall record and a 7-7-2 NEWHA mark.  

 

• Sacred Heart holds a 5-3-2 advantage in the all-time series, highlighted by a sweep of the Skyhawks earlier this season in October. 

 

• Sophomore Lauren Larson was named to the 2024-25 Women's Goalie of the Year Award Watch List by the Women's Hockey Commissioners Association earlier this week. Earlier this season, she was selected as the NEWHA Goaltender of the Month for December following an outstanding performance, highlighted by a .919 save percentage and a 1.98 goals-against average. Her impressive form has continued into the new year. In three games in 2025, she has recorded a .930 save percentage and a 2.28 goals-against average. 

 

• Maddie Smith became the 10th Pioneer to make her debut this season, appearing in the team's most recent game against Saint Anselm. She also became the 10th different defenseman to take the ice for the Pioneers this season. 

 

• Isabella Chaput leads the Red & White in goals (9) and points (14) heading into the weekend, having scored in four of her last five conference games. Kailey Smith and Bria Holm top the team in assists, with Holm recording her sixth of the season during Sunday's matchup against Saint Anselm. 

 

• Four Pioneers – Larson, forward Sydney Antonakis, defenseman Savannah Popick and forward Ella Holm – were named to the weekly NEWHA honor roll this week, 

 

 

The Pioneers faced conference opponent Saint Anselm last weekend, earning five out of six possible points. The team secured a 3-2 victory on Friday before falling in a shootout on Saturday after the score was tied at 2-2 following 65 minutes of play. 

 

 

• The Skyhawks (7-14-2, 7-7-2 NEWHA) come into the weekend following a sweep of LIU last weekend. In Friday's matchup, the game remained scoreless for nearly 57 minutes before the Skyhawks broke through 16:51 into the third period. They added an empty-net goal shortly after, securing a 2-0 victory in Game 1. 

 

• On Saturday, the scoring began earlier, with the Skyhawks netting the game's opening goal at 12:42 of the first period and doubling their lead in the second. LIU managed their first goal of the weekend in the third period, but the Skyhawks held firm to secure a 2-1 victory and complete the sweep. 

 

• Bailey Feeney leads the Skyhawks this season with 7 goals, 8 assists, and 15 points. A junior, Feeney has accumulated 52 points over 99 games with the Skyhawks and is set to play in her 100th game this weekend. 

 

• In goal, Alexsa Carson has seen all of the time between the pipes for the Skyhawks, starting all 23 of their games. Carson currently holds a 3.48 goals-against average and .912 save percentage with a 7-14-2 record. 

 

• Lee-J Mirasolo, in her second season as head coach, leads the Skyhawks. This marks her second visit to Martire Family Arena, having previously split with the Pioneers in November 2023.