The Panthers started strong, splitting their first four games and entering winter break with a 6-3 record. The signs were already there: each of the three losses came by a single goal, and the team was well on its way to breaking the program record for wins.
January brought more success. PSU went 5-1-1 through the heart of the month and remained unbeaten in conference play until a late-January road loss at Rivier. By then, the team had already reached double-digit wins for just the second time in program history.
Heading into the regular season finale at Worcester State, the Panthers held a one-point lead over the Lancers. They needed a win or any overtime result to secure the regular season title and the top seed in the tournament. PSU already held the tiebreaker, having won both previous head-to-head matchups—thanks in part to Katie Porrello’s ’26 record-setting four-goal game in November and a 1-0 win on February 1.
The finale was another tight battle. The teams traded second-period power play goals, and despite PSU outshooting Worcester State 36-20, the game remained tied through overtime. Worcester State won the shootout, pulling even with PSU in the standings at 34 points, but the Panthers accomplished the mission of securing home ice advantage.
A program-record crowd fans showed up to cheer the Panthers to a 6-1 semifinal win over Anna Maria on February 28. But that was just the beginning.
Plymouth has been a hockey town since Hanaway Rink opened in 2010, and Panther Nation didn’t disappoint for the women’s title game as 840 fans packed the arena for the championship— the first ever sellout for the women’s program.
In a season full of milestones, it was only fitting that the title game would be one for the ages.
Lauren McNeil ’24, ’25G opened the scoring 6:38 into the second period, burying a rebound to give PSU a 1-0 lead. Rivier responded with 8:03 left in regulation, capitalizing on a fortunate bounce off the end boards.
Overtime was edge-of-your-seat hockey. Neither goalie blinked and tensions grew through the second, then third extra periods. PSU outshot Rivier 33-13 in the three overtime periods, but the game carried on toward historic territory, with fans holding their breath.
Then, 6:55 into the fourth overtime— just 71 seconds shy of tying the NCAA Division III women’s hockey record for longest game— Juliet Rutigliano ’27 fired the puck into the slot, where it deflected off a skate and into the net. The second-longest game in D3 women’s hockey history belonged to the Panthers.
An exhausted Karlee Lehner, who set school records for wins and shutouts in a season, stopped 33 shots and was named Tournament Most Valuable Player.
“I put all my trust in my team,” Lehner said. “They’ve worked so hard all year, and I knew they were going to put one in the net.”
For McNeil and Carsen Moffett ’24, ’25G, the longest-tenured Panthers who both returned for fifth years, it couldn’t have been sweeter.
“I never could have imagined ending my college hockey career on a better note,” McNeil said. “It was special to see the support in the stands. It was a long road to where we are now— from playing just eight games during COVID my first year— but this team’s culture, determination, and work ethic were unmatched and it all paid off.”
Moffett echoed those sentiments.
“I’ve witnessed this program rise from its lowest points to becoming conference champions,” she said. “To have the privilege to contribute to that transformation has been surreal. Our coaches pushed us to heights we didn’t know we could reach.”
Second-year head coach Ben Chipman ’22, ’23G gives the student athletes all the credit.
“From the first day I met the team, I knew there was the potential for special things in the future,” he said. “New players were added to an already unbelievable culture set by our returning players. They are all so willing to come to the rink and grow their skills every day. It’s been amazing to watch.”
The end result was a season for the history books.
“There’s no better way to end your hockey career than winning a championship on home ice, in your favorite place, with your favorite people,” Moffett added. “This title isn’t just for us. It’s for every player who’s ever worn this jersey. I’ll remember March 7, 2025, as the day we made history for the rest of my life.”
So will we, Carsen … so will we. ■ Chris Kilmer ’99 is Plymouth State’s assistant athletics director for athletics communications