Best season yet, but this is only the beginning.  

Grand Canyon University Women's Ice Hockey competed in the Western Women's Collegiate Hockey League playoffs and defeated local rivals Arizona State University on Friday, February 18^th securing their first ever playoff victory. The historic win was followed by a tough loss to University of Colorado the next day. While the Lopes' success this season resulted in a 16^th place title, GCU's highest ever American Collegiate Hockey Association ranking, the squad is focused on accomplishing even bigger things in the future.

Feb. 18: GCU 4, ASU 1
GCU faced the ultimate opportunity for redemption in the face off against ASU.

The two teams had played each other a total of four times during the fall semester, with ASU finishing on top each time.

"It is a battle every time we play them, and we will always fight to win the state," said Lopes' Head Coach Natalie Rossi. "It was a lot of fun to go into it confident and determined."

The Lopes took an early 1-0 lead in the first period thanks to a goal from GCU's sophomore Micah Summer.

GCU really took control of the game in Period 2 with three back-to-back goals that cushioned a 4-0 lead to close the period. Among the three scorers was Lopes' senior captain Megan Brodfuehrer, a WWCHL first team all-conference honoree.

"Megan scored one of the most beautiful goals I have seen in a really long time," said Rossi.

The Sun Devils claimed a third period goal that thwarted the Lopes' chance for a shut-out, but GCU's unified efforts still carried them through the remainder of the game and to a historic post-season win.

"Everyone was all in and we really came together as a team," said Rossi. "It was probably the best team game we played all season."

Feb. 19: CU 4, GCU 2
GCU entered the weekend with a plan.

"We understood the task ahead of us," said Rossi. "We needed win two games, and we were going to take it one game at a time, one period at a time, and just stay focused."

Period 1 came – and went – with out any contributions to the score board for either team, but the second period of the game told a different story.

CU stole a 2-0 lead just minutes into the second period. GCU found an offensive stride as well when Lopes' sophomore Alyssa Olsen notched a goal to cut the lead in half. The Buffalos answered with another goal to take a 3-1 lead.

GCU pushed back yet again when Lopes' freshman Belle Lacombe scored a goal assisted by another Lopes' freshman Riley Benson. Less than a minute later, CU scored their fourth and final goal of the game.

The third period mirrored the first period, and no adjustments to the scoreboard were necessary. These scoreless periods were partially a testament to Lopes' freshman goalie Hannah Schneidmiller who recorded 26 total saves in the game and was named WWCHL second team all-conference.

While the individual honors given to Brodfuehrer and Schneidmiller as well as the 16^th place ACHA finish are admirable accomplishments, the squad has already shifted focus to what is ahead.

"Looking towards next season, we are talking about coming back just as strong as we are now," said Rossi. "That way we will be even stronger by the end of next season."

Want to learn more about GCU Women's Ice Hockey? Visit the team page here!