DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque women's hockey team made their historical home debut at ImOn Arena on Tuesday night. The inaugural season for women's hockey at UD made history as the first women's collegiate hockey game in the state of Iowa on Dec. 5, 2023. Over the years there have been plenty of club teams around the state, but it took until 2023 to begin what hopes to be a future of growth for women's collegiate hockey in Iowa. A native of Dubuque,
Madyson Moore coached the first official women's game in the Key City. Unfortunately not all historical moments end in glory, tonight the Spartans lost to nationally ranked Saint Mary's University by an 0-7 margin.
The Spartans took a few minutes for the honorary puck drop prior to beginning the evenings contest with dignitaries Sheila Sabers (Faculty Athletic Representative) dropping the puck with Dr. Jonathan Barz (Faculty Athletic Representative), Nelson Edmonds (Vice President of Student Engagement and Intercollegiate Athletics), Megan WIlson ( Associate Dean of Student Engagement and Intercollegiate Athletics, Senior Woman Administrator), and Mark Plantery (Dubuque Fighting Saints) in attendance. The starting line-up was escorted by local youth hockey members who joined the festivities, and the fans were delighted by the performance of the national anthem by local award winning saxophonist Dr. James Goodman Jr. during this historical night in Dubuque.
UD fell behind early and ended the first period trailing 0-3. SMU extended their lead to 6-0 after two periods and the Spartans played the ranked Cardinals nearly even in the final period of action after allowing just one goal. The Spartans battled against a team twice their size and proved they could contend for a victory against the best in the country. The Spartans freshman goalie,
Savannah Wuitschick, stopped a game high 51 saves after playing all 60:00 minutes in goal. She has 393 saves and a save percentage of .910 this season.
The Spartans would end the night with six shots and finished by winning 13 faceoffs and losing 48.
Olivia Hodges was 8-20,
Gracie Hall was 3-16, and
Chloe Byma was 2-11 in faceoffs.
UD (2-6 overall and 2-4 in NCHA) will return to the road this weekend when they play at the College of Saint Benedict for a two day series on Friday, Dec, 8 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 9 at 5:00 p.m. at Ritsche Arena in St. Joseph, Minn.
USCHO Division III Women's Poll - December 4, 2023
Others receiving votes:
Saint Mary's 14, Hamline 9, St. Norbert 8, Chatham 4, Bowdoin 3, Oswego 1
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