The St. Lawrence University women's hockey team, who received votes in each of the USCHO Coaches polls to start the season, is set to open the 2026-27 season this weekend against the defending National Champions – No. 1 Wisconsin.

"It is that time of year again around Appleton," said head coach Chris Wells. "We once again have a very young team with a lot of energy and competitiveness. We will get a great idea of where we are after the first month with our early out of conference schedule.  Having two Big 10 teams in Appleton, two long road trips and our annual weekend with Clarkson gives us a great first 10 games to get after it!"

Earlier this month, Abby Hehl was named team captain for the Scarlet and Brown, while Kennedy Emerson, Halle Mules and Riley Reeves will serve as alternates.

Hehl, who served as an alternate captain last season, tallied three goals and six assists for nine points, while both Reeves and Emerson led the defense blocking 57 and 40 shots respectively. Emerson also recorded three goals and five assists, while Reeves added three helpers and Mules blocked seven shots.

The Saints, who have already been back on the ice this season, played two exhibition games last weekend, defeating Concordia 3-1 at Appleton Arena, before falling 3-1 against Colgate on the road in Hamilton.

SLU topped the Concordia Stingers 3-1 with goals from Lilien Benakova, Kendall Doiron, and Jaylee MacKinnon. Doiron also scored in the Saints 3-1 loss to Colgate on Sunday. All three goaltenders played on Friday vs. the Stingers, while Maja Helge and Kassidy Lawrence split Sunday's game in Hamilton.

The Saints graduated four members from the 2025-26 roster – including PWHL Hamilton draft pick and goaltender Emma-Sofie Nordström. In turn the Saints also welcome a large and talented first-year class, along with UNH sophomore transfer Alex Therien.

Newcomers to the Saints squad this season include - Doiron, Helge, Barbora Jurícková, Jenny Keller, MacKinnon, Maria Mazi, Sonia Mehta, Carly O'Connor, Mae Severn, and Nellie Svensson.

Therien is joined by returning sophomores Benakova, Meghan Crowley, Cheyenne Degeer, Rylan Haslam, Brooke Mulvihill, Ella Nancarrow and Hayden Summers. Juniors this season are Alexia Côté, Mules, Mave O'Hagan, and Sami Phelan, while Hehl, Emerson, Lawrence, and Reeves are dressing for their senior seasons in Scarlet and Brown.

St. Lawrence eight out of their top 10 scorers from last season with Mulvihill, Haslam, Degeer and Côté all in the top five. Mulvihill led the Saints' lineup with nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points, while Haslam led the team in goals with 11.

"One of the characteristics that makes SLU and Appleton a great environment and a place to play is the support we get from the Canton and SLU community," Wells added. "It has a very authentic college hockey feel that our players love to play in.  Our home schedule this year is going to give everyone a great chance to witness some great hockey."

After taking on Wisconsin at home this weekend, the Saints will then hit the road to Maine for a Thursday-Friday matchup against the Black Bears on October 1-2.

SLU will take on the Golden Knights for the first-of-four times this season, as they host the annual 11 a.m. school day game on Thursday, October 8. Then the Saints will make the trip to Potsdam on October 9 for the second non-conference game against Clarkson. The Scarlet and Brown will be back on the road October 15-16 at UNH.

On October 23-24, the second Big Ten opponent will make their way to the North Country, as the Saints will host the Penn State Nittany Lions in a two-game series. St. Lawrence will open ECAC Hockey play on the road the following weekend at Dartmouth and Harvard on Halloween weekend.

On Thanksgiving weekend, the Saints will play a two-game slate with Merrimack at Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid, November 27-28. The Saints will close out the fall semester at home vs. Colgate and Cornell, December 4-5, before their winter break.

St. Lawrence opens the New Year on the road at Yale and Brown on January 8-9. Then the Saints and the Golden Knights will meet in league action, as the Route 11 rivalry series takes place on January 15-16.

The Saints host RPI and Union on senior weekend – February 5-6 – and will travel to Princeton and Quinnipiac for the final weekend of the regular season, February 12-13.

"The ECAC looks as strong as ever from top to bottom. Each night will be just what college hockey should be, competitive, and having to work for your rewards."

"We are looking forward to getting started after our exhibition season. We were able to shake some rust off and work through some things while developing some chemistry amongst the group. That is something that takes some time each year.  It is a very committed group of athletes that want to succeed. We look forward to seeing you all in Appleton this season!  S...L...U...S...L...U...S...L...U!"

Follow the links to check out the Saints' latest news, roster, and schedule for the upcoming season. Can't make it out to the Appleton Arena this season? Follow along with all games on live stats or video, linked on our schedule page.