From The Hockey News
By Ian Kennedy
The American Collegiate Hockey Association is the top loop for non-varsity university and college affiliated hockey teams across the USA. ACHA women’s hockey features 31 programs with a wider geographic spread than NCAA women’s Division I hockey featuring teams across the midwest and into Michigan, Colorado, Montana, and Arizona, as well as in NCAA dominated states in the Northeast.
Liberty University in Virginia captured their fifth straight national title this season. With a new ACHA season on the horizon, here’s a look at five players to watch in ACHA Division I women’s hockey this season.
Brityn Fussy, F, Liberty University – As the leader of the five-time reigning national champions, Fussy is one of the most complete players in ACHA women’s hockey. She was the only player to be both a First Team All-Tournament and First Team All-Athletic in the nation. The five-foot-eight forward had 13 goals and 24 points in 21 regular season games for Liberty this season. Fussy was the conference MVP as a rookie, and has only continued from there.
Ashlyn Stitt, F, Adrian College – The Calgary product racked up the hardware as a rookie both in her conference and nationally. Stitt, who was Adrian’s leading scorer with 17 goals and 42 points in 32 games this season was selected to the CCWHA All-Season First Team and All-Rookie Team, and was also named a First Team All-Athletic and ACHA All-Rookie nationally. Adrian remains one of the top programs in America, and Stitt will be part of a strong returning core.
Ally Rakowski, F, Midland University – Rakowski was the top scorer in America last year with 49 points, she also led the ACHA in goal scoring with 30 goals. The Winnipeg, Manitoba product was also a Midwest College Hockey First Team All-Star, and ACHA First Team All-Athletic honoree.
Emma Gerwitz, D, Maryville University – Few would argue with Gerwitz’s nomination as a First Team ACHA All-Athletic defender. The St. Louis Lady Blues alumni scored at nearly a point per game from the blueline, notching 28 points in 31 games. Her totals placed her second among blueliners in the nation. Another name to watch on the Maryville roster is forward Elle Rutherford who joined the school from strong Belle Tire and Anaheim Lady Ducks programs. She was a national All-Rookie selection.
Sandrine Ponnath, Michigan – Through two seasons with Michigan, Ponnath has been one of the toughest netminders in ACHA hockey to beat. The Dana Point, California product posted a 1.46 GAA and .950 save percentage. She played more minutes and faced more shots than any netminder in America, and still posted the best save percentage in the ACHA.
(Originally published at https://thehockeynews.com/womens/college/five-acha-womens-hockey-players-to-watch-this-season)
