No. 12 women’s ice hockey (12-1-3, 5-1-2 NESCAC) swept its weekend series against the No. 10 Colby Mules (11-4-0, 5-3-0 NESCAC), continuing a strong start to the season. The Ephs won a hard-fought 2-0 victory on Friday night before rounding out the weekend with a resounding 4-1 win on Saturday afternoon.
The Ephs have had an outstanding start to the season, losing only once to No. 2 Amherst (12-1-3, 5-0-3 NESCAC) in a rivalry game. Since then, the Ephs have won 12 games and tied two, a streak that includes triumphs at No. 9 Plattsburgh State (10-6-0) and NESCAC foe Trinity (6-9-1, 2-5-1 NESCAC).
Friday’s game was a tight battle, with both teams remaining scoreless until the third period when forward Jaelyn Keiver ’26 scored the first goal of the game with under seven minutes remaining. In the final three minutes, the Mules substituted their goaltender for an extra attacker as they searched for an equalizing goal. With under a minute left, forward Zoe Rosenberg ’28 capitalized on the empty net off an assist from forward Savana Littlewood ’29.
The Ephs’ first victory of the weekend was powered by a resounding defensive effort led by goaltender Erin Pye ’26. Pye made 53 saves across the weekend, including all 24 shots she faced on Friday, which was the ninth shutout of her career. For her strong weekend performance, Pye was awarded NESCAC Women’s Ice Hockey Player of the Week.
Saturday’s game got off to an electric start, with Annie Gallagher ’28 scoring the first two goals of the match, before the Mules responded with a goal of their own before the end of the first period. After a scoreless second period, defender Claire Murphy ’26 broke the drought with under seven minutes left, while forward and assistant captain Lucie Bond ’26 sealed the game with a goal in the last three minutes. Littlewood posted two assists during the game, contributing to her team-leading 10 assists this season.
This year’s scoring totals reflect the Ephs’ depth, with seven players recording more than 10 points and five recording a multi-goal performance this season. “I think we’re a lot deeper than we’ve been in the past,” Bond said. “We have some really good first-years, and it’s super even across all the lines, which I think has really been helping us out.”
Littlewood, who also leads the team with 14 points, described the support the first-year class has received while acclimating to the team. “It was definitely tough at first — new environment, new people — but we’re such a tight-knit group, and everyone really wants what’s best for the others,” she said.
Bond further complimented the speed with which the first-years have become key contributors. “Almost all of our [defenders] are first-years, and I think it’s definitely stressful coming in,” she said. “They have really stepped up and been playing well and got the systems pretty fast.”
Captain and forward Chloe Noxon ’26 also ascribed much of the team’s success this season to the culture and mindset that the team has cultivated. “The culture feels really healthy this year, so I think that’s helped a lot with our success,” Noxon said. “Just caring a lot for each other, both on and off the ice, and looking out for each other, especially because we have a younger team.”
As they gear up for the end of the season, the team prepares for the challenges they will face as they hope to win their first NESCAC title since 2019 and make a trip to NCAAs.
Bond also hopes to savor her remaining time with the team during her final season. “I just want it to be super fun, it’s the last time [I’m] ever going to play hockey,” she said. “It’s going to be pretty sad when it’s over, so I’m just trying to enjoy it while it lasts.”
The Ephs return to action next week, hosting the Hamilton Continentals (9-5-3, 5-3-2 NESCAC) on Friday, Jan. 30.
