Club Corner: Ice Hockey celebrates seniors in game versus Smith College
By Emily Tarinelli ’25
Sports Editor
Mount Holyoke Ice Hockey skated to a 2-8 loss in its senior game against Smith College on Saturday, Feb. 11. Hosted at Fitzpatrick Skating Rink in Holyoke, Massachusetts, Mount Holyoke friends, families and community members gathered in the stands to support the team as it celebrated its six seniors: Bria Carlson ’23, Ellie Costello ’23, Cal Kern ’23, Greyson Giveans ’23, Helen Roane ’23 and Sophie Soloway ’23. Each senior received gift bags, flowers and a “yoke” themed hockey puck.
Carlson led the Lyons by scoring both of the team’s two points, and she did not hesitate to shout out her other teammates’ performances.
“Evie Zahner ’26 and Leslie Munoz ’26 played a brand new position, as center, and did an amazing job. They were always in the right place at the right time and played so well. On top of that, getting to play with [the] other seniors … was such a special treat,” Carlson said. “I am so proud of everyone.”
“The energy during the whole game was amazing, but right out of the gate, it was such a special moment. The way we beat Smith to pucks and kept passing in the offensive zone was such a rush,” Costello said. “The atmosphere of the game was a little bittersweet as we all started thinking about our time either as seniors or with seniors ending soon, but it was also really exciting and electric. Smith is one of the most evenly-matched teams to us in our league, and we’ve been improving so much during this season that it was exciting to have a solid chance at a win.”
“The last shift of the game was entirely seniors on ice, with the exception of the goalie,” Roane said. “That was an absolute blast.”
Cami Robinson-Parisi ’26 described some of the team’s traditions for keeping each other energized and excited. After the senior game, that energy was amplified, Robinson-Parisi shared.
“At the end of every game, we give affirming shoutouts to each other in the locker room, and [this week’s] post-game shoutouts were not short of praise for our seniors,” they said. “As a freshman, I am very new to this group of people, but the core group of seniors has made such a wonderful and welcoming environment for anyone interested in ice hockey.”
Several seniors reflected on some of their fondest team memories.
“One of my favorite memories on the team has to be driving with everyone in the fleet vans to and from games. I love when everyone gets to all hang out together,” Roane said. “One of my favorite parts of being on the team is getting to know so many new people each year from all different class years. I think it’s awesome that you don’t need any hockey experience to join the team; I’d never played hockey before coming to [Mount Holyoke] and I’m so glad that I joined.”
Costello, a student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, said, “This team gave me new friends in two schools that I never would’ve met otherwise, and I’m so grateful that Mount Holyoke allowed us to play and that so many people on the team made it so accessible for us. I truly can’t say enough about how much this team means to me.”
“As one of the few players coming onto the team with hockey experience, to see my friends fall in love with the sport I have been playing since I was six has made me love hockey even more. I am so proud of every player that comes onto this team because a majority of them have never played before, much less knew how to skate, and took everything — the falls, the hits, the gear — in stride with enthusiasm and respect. This team is my family here on campus,” Carlson said.
Mount Holyoke Ice Hockey will conclude its season on Saturday, Feb. 18, in its final game against Wheaton College at Fitzpatrick Skating Rink.
Editor’s Note: Sophie Soloway ’23 and Evie Zahner ’26 are members of Mount Holyoke News.
Ice Hockey competes against Paul Smith's and Springfield Colleges
Mount Holyoke Club Ice Hockey competed in two games on the weekend of Dec. 3 and 4 at Fitzpatrick Ice Skating Rink in Holyoke, Massachusetts. On Saturday, Ice Hockey fell to Paul Smith’s College, while Sunday’s game saw another loss to Springfield College. The scores were unconfirmed; according to team member Camden Breckenridge ’24, “We play for the fun of it, and do not pay much attention to the score so long as we are having a good time.”
Club Corner: Introducing Ice Hockey and Fencing
Photos courtesy of Jenny Yu ’24 (left) and Anneke Craig ’22 (right).
Left: Mount Holyoke Club Ice Hockey plays at Fitzpatrick Ice Arena on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Right: Mount Holyoke Club Fencing welcomes interested new members to join the team this semester.
By Emily Tarinelli ’25
Sports Editor
Club Corner is a new biweekly column dedicated to highlighting Mount Holyoke College club sports. This week, Club Corner spotlighted Ice Hockey and Fencing.
Ice Hockey
Answers by Abby Mann ’24, captain
1. Describe ice hockey in three words. Fast, thrilling and fun.
2. What are the basics of ice hockey? It’s a contact sport in which players — on ice skates and wearing protective gear — use sticks to push a round, flat-sided “puck” on ice, trying to score points by getting the puck into the other team’s goal. Each team has five players and one goalkeeper on the ice at a time. It’s a total blast!
3. When and where do you practice? We practice in the Kendall [Sports & Dance Complex Field House] on Thursdays and at Fitzpatrick Ice Arena in Holyoke on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
4. What is your favorite team memory? My first game — we lost horribly, but no one cared. Everyone was joking and high-fiving the whole time. Even though we lost, I had a great time because no one made it about winning. We play every game that way and it’s awesome.
5. Tell me about your coach. Coach Tom [Cardosi] is all about creating an atmosphere where everyone feels safe and supported and has a good time. His “Rule One” is to always have fun, and he teaches the team to skate and play with that in mind.
6. What’s the best part about ice hockey? Playing a sport on ice skates is so fun, and our team is full of fantastic people.
7. If you had to pick a song to describe ice hockey, what would it be? Jokingly, … “Livin[g] the Dream (Junior Hockey Anthem)” by Chucky Slick –– our team loves this song.
8. Who would ice hockey be perfect for? Anyone who wants a chance to get on the ice [and] try something new.
9. How can someone join the team? We have a website you can visit! It pops up first if you type “MHC club ice hockey” into the search bar. There, you can find information about how to join. Shoot an email to the captains if you’re interested.
10. Anything else to add? Our website also has our game schedule! Even if you’re not interested in joining, you can always come support us in the [fan] section at a home game in Holyoke. Also, follow us on Instagram @mhcicehockey and stay tuned for open skate events.
Fencing
Answers by Willow Gumpel-Jones ’24, captain
1. Describe fencing in three words. En garde, prêt, allez.
2. What are the basics of fencing? Fencing is a combat sport [with] three different weapons that each have a distinct set of rules, target area and personality types [that] they attract. It’s modern-day sword fighting that’s all about technique and good form.
3. When and where do you practice? Monday through Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m. in [Kendall Sports & Dance Complex] gym.
4. What is your favorite team memory? We play ultimate frisbee as a warmup every practice, and it gets so intense — it’s so awesome.
5. Tell me about your coach. Our coach, [Dianna McMenamin], is really great with beginning fencers and getting them comfortable with the sport. She has so many fun stories — you should ask her to tell [you] some!
6. What’s the best part about fencing? Fencing is all about problem solving mixed with skills, so for me, learning your opponent’s patterns and tricking them into a hit is the most satisfying thing in the world.
7. If you had to pick a song to describe fencing, what would it be? “Cut Self Not” by Faraquet.
8. Who would fencing be perfect for? Fencing is perfect for those with attention to detail [and] anyone who is competitive and compassionate. … If holding a sword sounds fun to you, come check it out!
9. How can someone join the team? Contact anyone on the board! We are so enthusiastic about inviting new people to the team. [Find] our posters around campus or visit our [team] Instagram page, [@mhc_fencing].
10. Anything else to add? If you haven’t heard it yet from absolutely every member of the team, you should join the fencing team!
Editor’s Note: Sophie Soloway ’23 and Jenny Yu ’24 are members of Mount Holyoke Ice Hockey.