DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque women's hockey team is set to begin its fourth season in program history on November 6 and is ready to compete in a competitive NCHA.

The Spartans, led by second-year head coach Erin Connolly, are ready for what the 2026-27 season has in store. The Spartans return 18 from last season and bring in eight talented freshmen. NCHA All-Conference forward Natalie Meeder returns for her sophomore campaign after finishing her first season with 15 goals and nine assists. Meeder led the conference in goals and had the eighth-most points. In the final game of the regular season, Meeder scored a school-record four goals, which was the most by any player in the NCHA last season.

The 2026-27 schedule begins on Saturday, October 31, at Beloit College before they open up NCHA play against Lawrence the following weekend. The Spartans will play at ImOn Arena 11 times this season, with eight of them being NCHA games. Senior day will be on Saturday, December 12 against MSOE at 2:00 p.m. The NCHA Slaats Cup Playoffs will begin with a best-of-three quarterfinals on February 19, followed by the semifinals on February 27, and the championship on March 6.

Check out all the latest news, information, and updates from women's hockey via the University of Dubuque Athletics website at https://udspartans.com/sports/womens-ice-hockey.
 

2026-27 NCHA Women's Hockey Preseason Coaches Poll
School	Points	First-Place Votes
1. Adrian	95	7
2. Concordia Wisconsin	87	1
3. St. Norbert	81	1
4. Lake Forest	66	1
5. Marian	59
6. MSOE	52
7. Aurora	41
8. Trine	30
9. Univ. of Dubuque	27
10. Lawrence	12