SEMIFINALS WATCH LIVE (SEARCH FOR FORT WASHINGTON, Md.)
CHAMPIONSHIP WATCH LIVE (SEARCH FOR SPRINGFIELD, Va.)

HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University Intercollegiate Club Sports women's hockey team embarks on a trip to Fort Washington, Md., this weekend where the Panthers are the No. 1 seed in the ACCHL Playoffs. 

The Panthers, who are the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament, will not take the ice until Saturday night (9 p.m.) at the Tucker Road Ice Arena when they face the winner of the No. 4 / No. 5 contest between West Chester and Georgetown. Meanwhile, second seeded Virginia will face the winner of the No. 3 / No. 6 clash between George Washington and Virginia Tech. 

A semifinal victory will pit the Panthers against one of three opponents—Virginia, George Washington or Virginia Tech for the Commodore's Cup on Sunday, February 22nd at 3 p.m. The championship game will be held at the St. James Arena in Springfield, Va. 

High Point laid claim to the ACCHL Fall Tournament crown in November, outscoring its opposition 38-10, rattling off wins over Virginia Tech, North Carolina, George Washington and Virginia along the way. Furthermore, the Panthers have won seven of their last nine games, including a sweep of Alabama on the road in hostile territory by scores of 4-3 and 9-4 on February 13th and 14th, respectively. 

The sweep of the Crimson Tide marked the fourth time this season the Panther women have completed a series sweep and second sweep on the road. High Point also swept Georgia Southern (Sept. 20-21), N.C. State (Sept. 26-27) and West Chester (Pa.) (Oct. 18-19) in series clashes. The games against West Chester (Pa.) were on the road.

One of the backbones to the success of the High Point University Intercollegiate Club Sports women's hockey program has been head coach Kimberly Starcher. Starcher not only serves as head coach of the women's program, but also as the general manager for the men's D2 and D3 programs. 

Starcher recently shared her thoughts on the program heading into this weekend's contests and said the following: 

Q: This season marks the first time in program history that you reached double-digit wins after winning nine games in 2023-24 and seven a season ago. What did you work on as a team during the offseason and in the early going that has led to the success that you have enjoyed this season?

Starcher: To be honest, during the off-season, we let the players do what they want to do.  I think that is what helps our team to succeed during the season.  We do communicate in the off-season to let the players know what we have planned for the upcoming season.  I think sharing those types of things helps to get the players excited and prepared for the season.

Q: You have a roster that consists of just one senior, Carly Fair. Knowing that you have built this unit with seven freshman and six sophomores, how excited are you to make the AAU National Tournament to give the underclassmen a taste of how bright the future can be for HPU Women's Hockey?

Starcher: Of course, regardless of how large the classes are, going to nationals is very exciting.  I'm excited that in just a few short years, this team has caught the attention of many teams across the country and now we can go represent HPU on a national level for women's hockey.  Our entire team realized the future was bright for this program when we won our second straight ACCHL title for the 2024-2025 season.

Q: This season you have allowed just three or more goals in five of your 17 games. What has led to your success on defense that has resulted in generating more offense for your team?

Starcher: This is something that my staff and I work on every practice.  We don't have a lot of depth on the team just yet, but what we do have are players who are willing to push themselves and push their teammates to success.  Our team is constantly communicating with each other both on the ice and on the bench.  Every member of the team has contributed to every win we have in the books this season.  Every player has scored a goal, and both goalies have recorded shutouts this season.

Q: How would you analyze each player differently to show their impact on the team in 2025-26?  (Player-by-Player evaluation)

Kam – small but mighty, willing to throw herself in front of an opponent

Kylie – small, speedster, vocal, sees an opening, and is willing to go for it

Paige – leader, vocal, knows when to take a shot, goal scorer

Emmerson – speed, vocal, goal scorer

Georgia – speed, sniper, grit, goal scorer

Kailee – speed, grit, feisty, goal scorer

Megan – vocal, supportive, not afraid to jump in where others would back down

Cait – vocal, speed, great slapshot, leader, goal scorer

Maddie – feisty, vocal, knows where to pass before it's too late, speed, goal scorer

Kayla – sneaky, quiet, leads by example, sees an opening, and takes it

Addie – bubbly, energetic, feisty

Carly – leader, vocal, first 4-year player in the Women's program, great hands

Kate – brick wall, always smiling, always encouraging

Ella – small but mighty, wall, keeps us positive, great between the pipes

Raquel – feisty, vocal, speed, great hands, can play any position, goal scorer

Naomi – sniper, speed, vocal, goal scorer