DANBURY, Conn. - Western Connecticut State University will play its first-ever varsity NCAA women's ice hockey game on Friday, October 30 at 3:30 p.m. against the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Trailblazers. There will be a ceremonial puck drop immediately prior to the start of the game.  WestConn announced its intention to start varsity men's and women's ice hockey in the spring of 2024 and the Wolves women are excited to begin their inaugural season at home in Danbury Ice Arena.  The WestConn men had their debut season in 2025-26 and they also play their home games at Danbury Ice Arena.  Admissions is free for WestConn students, faculty and staff with WestConn ID. 

"Launching WestConn's women's ice hockey program is a milestone for our university and an investment in expanding opportunities for women in collegiate athletics," said WestConn Athletic Director Lori Mazza. "We are excited to start and build this program's legacy and strengthen our WestConn community and the surrounding area."

WestConn women's ice hockey, coached by Olympic Gold Medalist Shelley Looney, will compete in the Little East Conference, the second year the league is sponsoring women's ice hockey as a varsity sport, and will play 21 conference games in addition to four non-conference games this winter.  The Wolves are picked by the coaches to finish eighth in the conference this winter, while No. 2-ranked Norwich was voted to win the league title.  Junior goaltender Zoie Campbell (Anchorage, Alaska), a transfer from Aurora, and freshman forwards Aaliyah Osawamick (Sudbury, Ontario) and Alyssa Jimenez (Norwalk, Conn.) and defenseman Kiya Witkin (Los Gatos, Calif.) are expected to be impactful the inaugural roster of 24 players. 

"I've been part of some special moments in this game, and this one is right up there," said Coach Looney. "Watching these women skate out in Wolves jerseys for the first time is something none of us will ever forget."