Eastern Michigan University’s Women’s Hockey team has shattered expectations in their debut season, earning a berth in the 2025 ACHA National Championships in St. Louis, Missouri.
With an impressive 18-0-1 record, the Eagles have proven they can compete at a high level, finishing as the number two team in the final Central Region rankings after spending four of six ranking periods at the top spot.
With only 10 players, including eight skaters and two goaltenders, the Eagles have relied on skill, endurance, and teamwork to navigate a grueling season. Their ability to maintain a dominant presence on the ice despite a limited roster speaks volumes about their resilience and commitment to excellence.
Forward Avery Rutherford reflected on a defining moment early in the season, emphasizing the impact of their first regular-season game.
“I definitely think that the most memorable experience and moment for me this season has to be our first regular-season game when we played Central Michigan,” Rutherford said. “We won that game and it was very special and memorable for our entire team as it was our first college hockey game as freshmen. It was especially memorable for us because we had worked so hard to accomplish that win, and it gave us momentum to continue into our inaugural season!”
The team will leave for St. Louis on March 19 and have a practice session at the Centene Community Ice Center on March 20. Their tournament journey begins with a matchup against Central Michigan University on March 21 at 6:25 p.m. CST. The Eagles will then take on Providence College on March 22 at 6:45 p.m. CST before finishing pool play against Assiniboine College on March 23 at 6:30 p.m. CST. If they advance past pool play, the semifinals will occur on March 24 at 1 p.m. CST, with the National Championship game set for March 25 at 3 p.m. CST.
According to Rutherford, the team’s bond and relentless drive have been crucial in their remarkable season.
“I definitely think it comes from the dedication and hard work that everyone has put into this team thus far,” Rutherford said. “We are one big family and I think that translates to how we play out on the ice. We give 110% every time we step foot on the ice whether that is in practice or in games. We want to do it for each other and show that we can accomplish every goal we set for ourselves. We have spent countless hours in the gym and conditioning at practice, which has allowed us to be as successful as we’ve been in our inaugural season.”
For the Eagles, qualifying for Nationals is more than just an achievement — it’s an opportunity to showcase their talent on the national stage.
“It means so much! We are so unbelievably excited to continue in our historic run at Nationals this year,” Rutherford said. “Like I mentioned before, we have spent so much time and effort working up to this moment. It has been a goal of ours all season to get here, and we are so proud of how much we have accomplished. We are excited to showcase our talents at Nationals!”
Fans can catch all the action live on FloHockey, where ACHA will stream the tournament games. The ACHA Women’s Hockey page will also provide complete game stats and details. As the Eagles gear up for their first-ever National appearance, they aim to cap off their historic season with a championship victory.
