GLENSIDE, Pa. - After a strong inaugural season in 2021-22, the Arcadia University women's ice hockey team looks to take another step forward in 2022-23.  

Building on last season's success is what Head Coach Kelsey Koelzer and the Knights are building towards for this campaign. 

"Our expectations are to improve on the success that we had last year," Koelzer said. "We made playoffs in our first year, which is not something that anybody expected us to do, but now our girls have our sights set now beyond playoffs, hosting a playoff game, and being at the top of the MAC, hopefully.  

Coming off a second-place finish in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC), the Knights are once again projected to finish in second in the MAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Arcadia was also slated to finish sixth out of 11 teams in the United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) Preseason Coaches' Poll.  

"I would expect us to be ideally around the same spot where we finished last year (in conference), if not a little better," Koelzer said. "Ultimately our team has that goal of being in that top half of the playoffs and ideally hosting a playoff game." 

The Knights return 19 players from a season ago. Returners Berklee Hibbard, Karahkwenhawe White and Bridgit Terry were all named to the UCHC Players to Watch List. Last season, Hibbard was named to the UCHC All-Rookie Team, as well as being a Second Team All-MAC selection. She was also named the Team's Offensive Player of the Year. White was named the MAC Co-Rookie of the Year, as well as First Team All-MAC and was a part of the UCHC All-Rookie Team. Terry was also named to the First Team All-MAC, as well as the UCHC All-Rookie Team. She was also awarded as the Team's Defensive Player of the Year.  

The Knights welcome six newcomers to the squad. Haylee Kos, Mairead O'Connell and Maeve Hourihan join the forward group and Leah Hatcher, Payton Goltz and Abbi Komrofske are additions to the defensive core.  

"We're super excited to get (the newcomers) acclimated and get them a taste of game action," Koelzer said. They all bring a unique skillset to the table that I think has already taken our team to that next level." 

The Knights open their season on Friday, Nov. 4 as they travel to Utica in UCHC action. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Arcadia's home opener is set for Friday, Nov. 11 as it welcomes Chatham to Hatfield Ice Arena. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.