Cougars Women's Hockey secure CCWHA Championship!

The Sault College Cougars travelled to Burton, MI for the CCWHA Playoffs, as the #1 seed competing for the championship and a spot at nationals in St. Louis. As the top seed in the tournament, the Cougars earned a bye into the semi-finals where they waited for Michigan State. In semi-final action, after a tightly checked opening 5 minutes, Jasmine Groleau got the party started with her first goal of the game 7 minutes in. Victoria Misiak would add to the lead on the next shift, scoring 32 seconds later. Groleau would add her second of the period at the 13:12 mark off a feed from M-P Lecours, and the Cougars would head into the first intermission up 3-0. Sault College continued their aggressive play and were rewarded with goals from Emily Moore, Bergen Lucas, Materia Land, and a hat-trick goal from Groleau all withing the opening 4 minutes. The Cougars would skate to a 12-0 victory securing a birth in the finals. Sault College was led offensively by Groleau (3G, 0A), Materia Land (2G, 3A) & Emily Moore (2G, 2A). Farrah Farstad recorded her ninth shutout of the season, turning aside all 14 shots she faced.

The Finals were set for a 12:40PM puck drop Sunday against the Adrian College Bulldogs. M-P Lecours would beat Bulldogs goaltender Emily Tracht 32 seconds into the game to give Sault College a 1-0 lead. A relentless offensive attack by the Cougars would lead to their second goal of the period, with Groleau adding her fourth goal in 2 games giving the Cougars a 2-0 lead heading into the first intermission. The Bulldogs continued to press for their opening goal in the second, while goaltender Emily Tracht stood on her head to keep the Bulldogs in it. The Cougars would eventually add to their lead on a goal from Emma Lee midway through the second frame. Sault College would control the game from there, adding an insurance marker by Emily Moore in the third period as they shut out the Bulldogs, 4-0 to claim the CCWHA Playoff Championship & clinch a #1 seed for Nationals. Danica Niro led the way offensively with 2 points (0G, 2A) while Cassidy Dobson recorded the shutout turning aside all 18 shots she faced, while also picking up her second assist of the year!

"We've been focused on two things this season. Finishing as first seed in our conference, and winning a national championship. We completed job one of two this weekend and now our team has two weeks to focus on what we need to clean up to be successful in St. Louis." Head Coach Brianne Shunock, as the team now prepares for the National Championships, March 11th - 16th in St. Louis – Way to go Cougars!