ITHACA, N.Y. - The no. 5-ranked Cornell women's ice hockey team will aim to build upon its 2024 NCAA Frozen Four appearance going into the 2025 season. Doug Derraugh, the Everett Family Head Coach of Women's Ice Hockey iterated the importance of a focused approach and earning their keep as this year is a blank slate.
"We hope to build off of last year's momentum and carry that energy into the start of our season this year. That said, it is a new year and a new team. This team will have to go out and earn it." Derraugh mentioned.
Mckenna Van Gelder, Sarah MacEachern, and Grace Dwyer were named captains for the 2025-26 season. "Our captains each have their own leadership style but each of them is highly respected by their teammates. They compliment one another very well.", Derraugh added.
Senior All-American goaltender Annelies Bergmann returns in net for the Big Red.
(Courtesy of Evan Volkman)
GOALKEEPERS
Returning (2):
Newcomers (1):
All-American and ECAC Hockey Goaltender of the Year Annelies Bergmann returns in net for Cornell's 2025-26 season. Bergmann finished the 2025-26 season with 794 saves (.943) and a 1.35 goals against average. Her 10 shutouts on the season led the country, and placed her third in the record book for season shutouts. She leads a room of goaltenders with high expectations coming into the year.
Newcomer:
Lily Ferebee - Four-year letter-winner in ice hockey playing for the Williston Northampton School... won two NEPSAC Championships... registered a .950 save percentage in 2022 and .964 in 2024... garnered Most Improved Player distinctions in 2022... earned team MVP in 2024... was named the top goalie in the Elite Eight.
Senior captain and defender Grace Dwyer returns to lead a strong Cornell blue-line.
(Caroline Sherman/Cornell Athletics)
DEFENSE
Returning (6):
Newcomers (1):
The return of six Cornell blue-liners will be imperative to the Big Red's success. Captains Grace Dwyer and Sarah MacEachern along with standout defenders Alyssa Regalado and Piper Grober will aim to match its defensive success of last season. Cornell finished the 2025-26 season ranked third in the nation in scoring defense, only allowing 1.46 goals per game.
Newcomer:
Lily Pachl - Five-year letter-winner in ice hockey playing for South St. Paul High School... Ms. Hockey Minnesota semifinalist in 2025... three-time all-state selection... named team MVP in 2024 and 2025... registered 195 points on 85 goals and 110 assists in 134 games... was a five-year letter-winner in softball as a catcher/outfielder... named all-conference honorable mention in 2025... two-year letter-winner in soccer as a goal-keeper.
Senior captain and forward Mckenna Van Gelder returns to East Hill.
(Lance Haupricht/Cornell Athletics)
FORWARDS
Returning (7):
Newcomers (4):
The Big Red will return seven forwards, which is critical for Cornell in maintaining its strong offensive presence. Avi Adam, Mckenna Van Gelder, Lindzi Avar, and Karel Prefontaine return 93 points for Cornell, including 46 of the 115 goals scored last season. In addition to the seven returning forwards, the Big Red will add four newcomers who will be poised to contribute early.
Newcomers:
London McDavid - Five-year letter-winner in ice hockey playing for North Delta Secondary School... served as a team captain on five occasions... registered 105 points in five years at North Delta Hockey Academy... cousin of NHL superstar Connor McDavid.
Riley Scorgie - Six-year letter-winner in ice hockey playing for Vimy Ridge Academy.
Shannon Pearson - Four-year letter-winner in ice hockey playing for Edge School... was a nominee for CSSHL Most Valuable Player... was a two-time First Team CSSHL Allstar... CSSHL Rookie of the Year nomination.
Nora Curtis - Four-year letter-winner in ice hockey playing for Williston Northampton School... registered 120 points during her career on 51 goals and 69 assists... collected two NEPSAC Championships... was named All-NEPSAC as a senior in 2024-25... played field hockey for two seasons...won a field hockey NEPSAC Small-School Championship in 2024-25.
"We believe we have good balance at each position this year. We will require contributions from everyone at each position.", Derraugh mentioned.
SCHEDULE OUTLOOK
The Big Red will endure a demanding schedule, which starts with a formidable non-conference slate against opponents from the likes of Boston College and Penn State, but be anchored by an always competitive ECAC Hockey conference slate.
"We added some non conference teams that we have not seen in a few years which will shake things up but we are excited to see some different teams this year. They are all highly competitive programs so that will help us improve as well.", Derraugh mentioned.
The no. 5-ranked Cornell women's ice hockey team was tabbed to repeat as ECAC Hockey Champions in the preseason poll. The Big Red concluded last season with a 25-5-5 record, while winning the ECAC Hockey, Ivy League, and NCAA Ithaca Regional Championships.
ECAC Hockey Poll Results
1. Cornell - 8 first place votes
2. Colgate - 2 first place votes
3. Clarkson - 2 first place votes
T4. St. Lawrence
T4. Quinnipiac
6. Princeton
7. Yale
8. Brown
9. Union
10. Harvard
11. Dartmouth
12. RPI
All-ECAC Preseason Team
G - Annelies Bergmann, Cornell - Unanimous
D - Grace Dwyer, Cornell
D - Andrea Trnková, Clarkson
F - Issy Wunder, Princeton
F - Elyssa Biederman, Colgate
F - Mackenzie Alexander, Princeton
"The ECAC will be extremely competitive once again. In the preseason polls there were 5-6 teams in the top 15 in the NCAA. ", Derraugh concluded with.
