23 PLAYERS NAMED TO 2025 UNITED STATES WOMEN’S NATIONAL UNIVERSITY TEAM
Team Set to Compete in 2025 Winter World University Games
TROY, Mich. (November 14, 2024) – The 23-player roster for the United States Women’s National University Team that will compete in the 2025 Winter World University Games from January 13-23 in Torino, Italy, was announced today by American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA).
“This is an exciting opportunity to showcase ACHA women’s hockey talent on the international stage,” said Lindsey Ellis (Peoria, Ariz.), head coach of the U.S. Women’s National University Team. “Our team represents players and universities from across the nation, and we have high expectations for this group.”
The complete roster, which includes three goaltenders, seven defensemen and 13 forwards, is comprised of players that compete in American Collegiate Hockey Association Women’s Division I.
Eleven seniors and one graduate student highlight the U.S. roster, including defensemen Paige Ackerman (Minot, N.D./Minot State University), Elle McKenna (Anchorage, Alaska/Arizona State University) and Gianna Miranda (Chicago, Ill./Adrian College), forwards Haley Battles (Gretna, Va./Liberty University), Brielle Fussy (Ham Lake, Minn./Liberty University), Halle Hansen (Bellingham, Wash./University of Utah), Lucy Hanson (Medina, Minn./University of Michigan), Sydney Paulsen (Waconia, Minn./Arizona State University), Kelsey Swanson (Traverse City, Mich./University of Michigan) and Makenzie Villiard (Fenton, Mich./Adrian College), and goaltenders Rieley Jessie-Gerelli (Croton Hudson, N.Y./Adrian College) and Sandrine Ponath (Dana Point, Calif./University of Michigan).
NOTES: Eleven different states are represented on the U.S. roster, with seven players coming from Minnesota. Other states represented include Alaska, California, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington… The 23 players represent 11 different schools. University of Michigan leads the way with six representatives, while Arizona State University has five players, Adrian College has three, and Liberty University has two representatives. Indiana Tech, McKendree University, Minot State University, Niagara University, University of Colorado, University of Michigan-Dearborn, and University of Utah each have one representative… Ellis is serving as head coach of the 2025 U.S. Women’s National University Team alongside assistant coaches Jenna Trubiano (New Baltimore, Mich.), head coach at University of Michigan, and Anna Quattro (Buffalo, N.Y.), head coach at Niagara University… The United States is fielding a women’s hockey team at the Winter World University Games for the 7th time. This marks the first time since 2019 and the sixth time overall that the ACHA will be sending a women’s team to represent the U.S… The U.S. Women’s National University Team won the Bronze Medal at the 2013 Winter World University Games held in Trentino, Italy and again at the 2017 Winter World University Games held in Almaty, Kazakhstan… At the 2025 Winter World University Games, ice hockey competitions start two days earlier on January 11. Team USA is competing in Group A alongside the Czech Republic, Japan, and Kazakhstan. Canada, Great Britain, Slovakia, and Taipei make up Group B. All games will be played at Palatazzoli Pista… For complete coverage of the U.S. at the 2025 Winter World University Games, click here.
For more information, please contact ACHA Executive Director Craig Barnett at cbarnett@achahockey.org.
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ABOUT AMERICAN COLLEGIATE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
The ACHA was founded in 1991 and is the national association for non-NCAA collegiate hockey throughout the United States. Our organization of more than 480 colleges and university-affiliated teams representing 46 states provides structure, regulates operations, and promotes the sport of Hockey nationwide. With approximately 13,000 players and coaches as well as countless volunteers and game officials, the ACHA has experienced tremendous growth over the past decade and continues to be a viable option for college bound student-athletes to continue playing competitive hockey nationwide. Headquartered in Troy, Mich., the ACHA’s primary mission is to support the growth of Collegiate Hockey while emphasizing academic performance, personal development, and opportunities for regional, national, and international competition. The ACHA identifies standards which serve to unite and regulate teams at the collegiate level and is entering its 34th season in September 2024. For more information, visit achahockey.org.
