SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (July 20, 2026) – Eight members of the Western New England women's ice hockey team were honored by the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) last week, earning Krampade All-American Scholar status by the organization. 

Of the eight Golden Bears honored this season, three earned the distinction for the first time, while five others received honors for the second time in their careers. First-timers include Lilly Ainley, Caroline Bliss, and Zoe Galanoudis. Hannah Baxter, Valerie DuVal, Mabel Gerard, Rachael Irving, and Jenna Lynch are all named All-American Scholars for the second time in their respective careers. To qualify, a student-athlete must have attained a 3.75 GPA for each semester in 2025-26 and had to appear in 40% of the team's games. Exceptions are granted to injured players and backup goalkeepers. Schools are required to be members of the AHCA. In total, 994 Division II-III men and women were named All-American Scholars. 

Ainley competed in all 27 games for Western New England in her first season in Blue and Gold. Ainley scored three goals and assisted on 16 others for a total of 19 points during the season. Ainley scored all three goals on the power play during the season and had the game-winning goal in a conference contest against Endicott College (11/14).  Defensively, Ainley blocked 26 shots for the season. 

Baxter saw action in 15 games on the season for Western New England, playing a key role in the run to the conference championship game during the year. Baxter recorded 11 wins in the faceoff circle on 17 attempts and recorded one blocked shot during the season. Of the 15 games played for Baxter, Western New England was victorious in ten of those. 

Bliss played in 23 of Western New England's games during the season. The Saratoga Springs, New York, native came away with four assists for the year, including her first career collegiate point coming in the season opener at Worcester State (10/31). Bliss also recorded a multi-point effort on the final day of the regular season, picking up a pair of assists against the University of New England (2/21). 

DuVal played in all 27 games for the Golden Bears in 2025-26, recording six points on one goal and five assists. DuVal scored in a win over the University of New England (2/21), the game-winning goal, while taking 74 shots on goal during the season. DuVal took 433 faceoffs during the season, winning 55.1% of those for the year (239). Additionally, DuVal registered 30 blocked shots on the year. 

Galanoudis, the captain of the 2025-26 squad, skated in all 27 games for the Blue and Gold, recorded six points on four goals and two assists.. Three of Galanoudis' four goals came against a conference opponent, including a goal in the conference tournament. Galanoudis took 46 shots during the season and added 24 blocked shots on the defensive end of the ice. 

Gerard was a top scorer for Western New England this season, playing in all 27 games, scoring 17 goals and adding 13 assists, good for 30 points overall. The Halifax, Nova Scotia, native recorded 84 shots on the year and picked up four game-winning goals, three of which came against a Conference of New England (CNE) opponent. Gerard also led Western New England with 328 faceoff victories over 606 attempts. The rising junior scored nine of her 17 goals on the power play to lead WNE, including a multi-goal performance on the power play in the CNE Semifinals. 

Irving was the backbone of the team's success this season, making 25 starts between the pipes for the Blue and Gold. Irving made 755 saves for the Golden Bears during the year, going 17-7-1 overall. Irving collected a 1.75 goals-against average (GAA) for the season and had a .945 save percentage. Irving also registered a pair of assists during the season, both coming in CNE play. 

Lynch led Western New England in points during the 2025-26 season, picking up 12 goals and 19 assists over 25 games, good for 31 total points. Lynch took 113 shots on the year, scoring three power-play goals and had three game-winning goals on the year. The Brookline, New Hampshire native also led Western New England with 67 blocked shots for the year, picking up a game-high ten in a shootout victory over Endicott College (2/7). 

Western New England women's ice hockey has had eight student-athletes named AHCA Krampade All-American Scholars in each of the last four seasons, with 32 total selections in program history. The Golden Bears will return to the ice in 2026-27 this coming October, with a full schedule release set for the coming months.