Lakeland Rustlers Halfway Report: Women's Hockey

Lakeland Rustlers Halfway Report: Women's Hockey
January 16, 2025

1st Half Record:

14-2 | 2nd in the ACAC North Division (they are now back in 1st with a 16-2 record)

Key Performers:

Hailey Carothers | 17 goals, 7 assists, 24 points | The 2023 Player of the Year leads the league in goals and points. She continues to put opposing defenders on alert whenever her skates hit the ice.

Addison Eurich | 5 goals, 14 assists, 19 points | A standout rookie for the Rustlers, she is tied for the league lead in assists and sits tied for third in points.

Janae Neufeld | 1.17 GAA, .945 save %, .833 win % | Having taken over as start for the team, Jana is first or second in the ACAC for almost every relevant statistical category.

Senior Graduates:

None.

Highlights:

Oct. 11, a 3-2 win in their home opener against the RDP Queens. After allowing the visitors to tie the game, Lakeland was able to get the winner from Asha Petrie with less than 20 seconds remaining on the clock.

Nov. 2, a 1-0 home-shutout victory over the defending champion NAIT Ooks. It was the Rustlers first meeting with their rival since losing in the ACAC Finals back in March. Brooke Salewski scored the winner and Janae Neufeld made 31 saves.

Recap:

An incredible start to the program's third season in the ACAC.

The Rustlers were dominant, outscoring their opponents 52-17 through 14 games, a differential that has now been extended to 62-21. They are currently the best defensive team in the league by a significant margin, as the only hockey club to allow less than 30 goals thus far, and are close behind the Ooks offensively.

Several players sit atop the league's statistical leaders and the group, thanks to starting the semester with two wins over the defending champs, are in a great position to host a playoff series in Late February, early March.

Looking Ahead:

This Friday, the Rustlers face Medicine Hat at home at 7:00 PM. Their final showdown with RDP will be Jan. 31 at the Russ Robertson Arena. Then, On Feb. 28, women's hockey playoffs will begin with the Semifinals, followed by the ACAC Finals March 8-17.