The #4 Middlebury women’s ice hockey team begins its quest for the program’s third NESCAC Title in the last five seasons and fifth NCAA Championship on Friday, November 14. The Panthers welcome Hamilton to Chip Kenyon ‘85 Arena for a pair of league contests. It will also mark the 50th anniversary of the program, which began as a club team in 1975-76.

Netminder Sophia Will has seen consistent time in the crease during her career. Last year, the captain continued to place her name in the record books, finishing sixth in single-season history in save percentage (.949) alongside 357 saves and a 1.02 goals against average (GAA). 

A group of Panthers returns to patrol the blueline in front of Will this winter. Rachel Neyman played in all 29 games and will be an assistant captain. The defender tallied the decisive score against Trinity and added four assists. Olivia McManus was second on the team with 14 helpers and third in points (17), while her 27 blocked shots ranked fourth. Callia Ferraris rounds out the experienced trio, having scored four times and assisted on seven others. She also had 10 blocked bids.

Assistant captains Avery McInerny and Britt Nawrocki, alongside Kate Flynn, spearhead the Panther returning forwards. Flynn ranked 16th nationally with five power-play goals a season ago. Her 11 tallies and trio of game-winners were tied for the team lead, while 19 points ranked second. Flynn posted the lone goal in Middlebury’s NCAA Quarterfinal victory over Nazareth. McInerny was third on the squad with 12 assists and found the back of the net four times. Nawrocki lit the lamp on nine occasions, including three game-winners, and added five helpers to aid the offense. The Panthers also welcome eight first-year players into the fold.

Mandigo, the winningest women’s ice hockey coach among all three divisions (681-180-56), returns for his 38th campaign at the helm. He is joined again this winter by assistant coaches Emily McNamara ’07 and Becca Shaw ’12.