JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The High Point University Intercollegiate Club Sports women's hockey team saw its season come to a close following a 3-1 setback to Syracuse at the 2026 AAU Collegiate Hockey Championship in Jacksonville, Fla., on Monday afternoon. 

The sixth-seeded Panthers opened play on Saturday against Paul Smith's (N.Y.), falling by a 7-2 margin. Both High Point goals, which came in the first and third periods, came off the stick of freshman Naomi Evangelista. 

The Panthers closed with 27 shots in the game, six more than their counterparts. However, there were three goals in the second and four in the third period that allowed Paul Smith's to earn the victory. 

High Point then faced off against South Carolina on Sunday, where Evangelista was again the topic of conversation. The Panther freshman scored the game-winning goal with 0.4 seconds remaining after a pass from teammate Paige Tuccinardi. 

The Panthers capped off the victory with 52 shots and goals from Evangelista (two), Georgia Frost (two), Kailee O'Brien and Emmerson Marengi. 

Syracuse attempted a game-high 72 shots, including 30 in the first period and 25 in the third, to come away with the victory. High Point goalkeeper Ella Cianci held the Orange to one goal in the first, while Evanagelista evened the game at 1-1 with a goal at the 7:45 mark of the second. Syracuse scored one goal each in the second and third, including the game-winner from Neve Padulo, to secure the win. 

High Point Head Coach Kim Starcher led the Panthers to an 18-6-0 record, including a 6-1-0 mark at home. The 18 victories set a program record for High Point, which finished with six shut outs on the season. The Panthers also captured the ACCHL Fall Tournament in November and brought home a third consecutive ACCHL Playoff crowns in late February. 

"I am so proud of these girls," said Starcher. "The compliments from the Syracuse coaching staff and players were very abundant. I told the girls we got to the big stage, we made some noise and we've been noticed.  We will have teams banging on our doors.  There are women's teams wanting to join the ACCHL because of the High Point women's team and what we have done. We have tears are flowing and it is to be expected, but they also need to be so proud of themselves."