The highly anticipated quarterfinal match between Hamilton College and Adrian College is scheduled to take place at Adrian’s Arrington Ice Arena on Saturday, March 9 at 3 p.m. This upcoming clash brings to mind the memorable 2023 quarterfinals face-off between the two teams at Adrian, where Hamilton emerged victorious with a 2-0 win. The stakes are high, as the winner of this match will advance to the semifinals to face the victor of University of Wisconsin-River Falls and Gustavus Adolphus College.
For those interested in attending the game, general admission tickets can be purchased on Adrian’s athletics website by following the tickets link listed for the Hamilton game on the women’s hockey team schedule. Hamilton parents and fans may avail of Section D using the passcode HamiltonWIH.
Let us delve into an in-depth analysis of both teams as they prepare for this highly anticipated matchup.
Team Performance
Hamilton enters the quarterfinals with a record of 16-6-6, tying for third place in the New England Small College Athletic Conference. Meanwhile, Adrian boasts an impressive 27-2-0 overall record and clinched first place in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association with a perfect 16-0-0 record.
National Rankings
In the latest USCHO.com Division III Top 15 poll, Hamilton is positioned at No. 8, maintaining a similar position in the PairWise rankings. On the other hand, Adrian currently holds the No. 3 spot in the USCHO.com Division III Top 15 poll and stands at No. 5 in the PairWise rankings.
Path to the Quarterfinals
Hamilton secured an at-large bid after falling short in the NESCAC Championship final and subsequently defeated Nazareth University 2-1 in overtime during the NCAA championship first round on March 6. Adrian earned an automatic bid by emerging victorious in the NCHA Slaats Cup finals.
Coaching and Player Statistics
Kayte Holtz, Hamilton’s first-year coach, has steered the team to an impressive season, with standout performances from players such as Abby Smith, Claire McGennis, Sami Quackenbush, and Lydia Bullock. Additionally, Continentals’ goaltender Teagan Brown has made a significant impact with her remarkable stats. On the other hand, Adrian’s head coach, Shawn Skelly, in his sixth season, leads a team that has dominated its opponents this season. Players like Une Bjelland, Maya Roy, Karmen Anderson, Callie Wollschlager, and Zoe Lohrei have been instrumental in Adrian’s success, with Michaela O’Brien standing out as a formidable force in the goaltender position.
Anticipated Showdown
The upcoming quarterfinal match between Hamilton and Adrian promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams showcasing their exceptional skills and determination to secure a spot in the semifinals. The stage is set for an intense battle on the ice, as each team looks to outmaneuver the other and advance one step closer to the NCAA Division III Women’s Hockey Championship title.
As we eagerly await the outcome of this highly anticipated clash, all eyes will be on the Arrington Ice Arena on March 9 as these two formidable teams go head-to-head in an exhilarating display of talent and sportsmanship. Let the countdown to faceoff begin!