FAIRFIELD, Conn.- Sacred Heart University Women's Ice Hockey head coach Thomas O'Malley released the team's 2019-20 schedule this afternoon. The 31 game regular season slate features 21 NEWHA conference matchups leaving 10 non-conference games for the Pioneers this season. The NEWHA has just added LIU Brooklyn to the conference this year which increases the number of NEWHA members to six for the upcoming season.
The Pioneers will be captained this season by seniors Maddie Bishop and Olivia Bryant who each had impressive seasons last year as Bryant was named to the All-NEWHA First Team, NEWHA Defensive Player of the Year, as she netted three goals with eight assists for 11 points. Meanwhile Bishop tallied a career high 10 goals, with 13 assists for 23 points and was tied for fourth on team in goals scored. SHU returns 21 members to the team this season while welcoming in nine to complete the 30 women roster.
The Pioneers kick off the season at home against the University of Maine for a two-game series beginning on Friday, October 4 at 4:00 p.m. Six days later, the Pioneers will kick off a six game road stand beginning with Mercyhurst (10/11-10/12) followed by NEWHA rival Saint Anselm (10/18-10/19) and concluding the trip at in-state rival Quinnipiac (10/25-10/26).
SHU will return home to face the newest member of NEWHA LIU on Friday, November 8 with a 4:00 p.m. scheduled puck-drop. A day later, the Pioneers head to LIU to conclude the home at home series before heading to Franklin Pierce (11/15-11/16) as SHU looks for revenge after falling in the opening round of the NEWHA Playoffs to the Ravens last season.
The Pioneers will then host LIU again on Friday, November 29 for a 2:00 p.m. puck-drop and will be followed the next day by a 7:30 p.m. puck-drop against Johnson and Wales at home in Shelton. SHU kicks off the month of December with a home at home matchup with Nutmeg State rival and NEWHA member Post first at the Eagles home ice (12/6) followed by a home match (12/7) with a 7:30 p.m. puck-drop.
After SHU has its winter break through the rest of December, the Pioneers will kick off the new year on the road at RIT (1/3-1/4). Then the Pioneers will host a two-game series with Saint Michaels beginning Friday Jan. 10 at 4:00 p.m. followed by a 2:30 p.m. puck-drop on Saturday Jan. 11. SHU then will take a mid-week trip to Johnson and Wales on Wednesday Jan. 15 for a single game with a 4:00 p.m. puck-drop.
Two days later, the Pioneers will face Post for a home-at-home series (1/17-1/18). Friday's puck-drop is set for 2:00 p.m. while Saturday's will be at 7:30 p.m. Six days later the Pioneers will face LIU first at home on Friday, Jan. 24 at 4:00 p.m. followed by an away matchup at the Sharks at 7:45 p.m.
SHU will then host four games beginning with Franklin Pierce (1/31-2/1) followed by Saint Anselm (2/7-2/8). SHU will conclude the regular season on the road at Saint Michaels (2/14-2/15).
