ACHA Women’s D2 Announces 2023 All-Tournament Teams and National Championships Most Valuable Player
Congratulations are in order for the Sault College Cougars, who went undefeated in the 2022-23 regular season, battled their way into the championship game at the 2023 National Championships in Marlborough, MA, and ultimately earned the title of Women’s D2 2023 National Champion.
Both the Sault College Cougars and their opponent in the final, the Northeastern University Huskies, went 3-0 in Pool Play to earn their spots in the final four.
Northeastern overcame the odds all weekend leading up to the final, upsetting Assumption (#1 seed Northeast region), the US Naval Academy (#2 seed Southeast region), and North Dakota State University (#3 seed West region) during Pool Play. In their semi-final matchup, a nail biting re-match from the 2022 semi-final, Northeastern knocked out reigning/two-time W2 champion Assiniboine Community College (#1 seed West region) in double overtime. An impressive run of upsets for the Huskies, as Northeastern entered the tournament as the #4 seed for the Northeast region.
In their own matchups, Sault (#1 seed Central region) faced and beat Rowan University (#4 seed Southeast region), University of Delaware (#3 Southeast region), and Providence College (#2 seed Northeast region) in Pool Play. In their semi-final game, Sault faced Dakota College at Bottineau (#2 seed West region), which was scoreless until the third period.
Ultimately, Sault College defeated Northeastern University 6-1 in Monday’s final to solidify their perfect season.
…
The ACHA is proud to recognize the following Women’s D2 players for their positive contributions to their teams and overall impact throughout the 2023 National Championships:
National Championships MVP
– Emily Moore (#24 Sault College)
First Team All-Tournament
FORWARDS
– Emily Moore (#24 Sault College)
– Brooke Brazeau (#27 Sault College)
– Emma Lee (#6 Sault College)
DEFENSE
– Emily Brunet (#2 Sault College)
– Alyssa Byers (#8 Sault College)
GOALIE
– Emily Hansen (#30 Sault College)
Second Team All-Tournament
FORWARDS
– Nicole Pollis (#20 Northeastern University)
– Abigale Lamontagne (#9 Northeastern University)
– Simone Turner (#14 Assiniboine Community College)
DEFENSE
– Hannah Littlewood (#3 Northeastern)
– Trinity Tanner (#18 Dakota College at Bottineau)
GOALIE
– Nora McGowan (#1 Northeastern University)
…
The ACHA also interviewed multiple players, coaches, tournament staffers, and more – showcasing stories of big wins, first time appearances at Nationals, and overall team experiences of attending the 2023 National Championships. Check out some of those W2-related interviews:
– Emily Moore, Sault College – 2023 National Championships MVP
– Brooke Brazeau, Sault College
– Olivia Barsanti, Sault College
– Brianne Shunock (coach), Sault College
– Skylar Berube, Niagara University
– Katelyn Koester, Niagara University
– Lauren Power, US Naval Academy – Zoe Harris Player of the Year
– Michaela Stangel, US Naval Academy
– Nikkie Pollis, Northeastern University
– Nora McGowan, Northeastern University
– Kirra Montrose, Dakota College at Bottineau
– Savannah Doak, Assiniboine Community College
– Sara Barshap, Villanova University
– Matt Fabrizio (coach), Villanova University
– Mac Barnett, Central Michigan University
– Chris Haney (coach), Central Michigan University
– Mark Frison (President, Assiniboine Community College)
– Taylor Hadley (Commissioner, ACHA Women’s D2)
Congratulations again to all 16 Women’s D2 Nationals Contenders for their participation at Nationals this season. For more details about how the games played out during the 2023 National Championships, navigate to the game schedules here.
The ACHA looks forward to wrapping up the 2022-23 season and kicking off the 2023-24 season during the Annual Membership Meeting, taking place April 28-29. Member teams are encouraged to register, and should look out for more information from the Women’s D2 Commissioner.
