By Currier Times Staff///

UPDATE: The Curry Women’s hockey team lost to Western New England on Saturday, March 2nd by a score of 5-3 in a battle for the CCC Championship. The Colonels took an early two-goal lead before the game turned in favor of WNE. WNE will now represent the CCC in the NCAA National D3 playoffs. Read a game recap from Curry Athletics here: https://curryathletics.com/sports/wice/2023-24/releases/20240302yacn8w

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Students are getting ready to board a fan bus to head to West Springfield, Mass., this Saturday, March 2nd, to watch the improbable run for Curry Women’s Hockey (11-11-5) as they play for the CCC Championship. The winner will get an automatic bid to the national playoffs.

The group, only three-years-old as a NCAA varsity team, wasn’t supposed to be playing at this level so soon. But their 1-0 victory last Saturday in Beverly, Mass., over arch-rival, #13 nationally ranked Endicott College, shocked the Women’s Hockey world in Division III sports.

Kelly Rider, Curry Women’s Hockey coach, said the success and growth have come from the hard work and dedication of the players and coaching staff.

“Every person that is part of our team has been crucial in our success leading up to our playoff run this season and in the playoffs,” said Rider. “Because of the consistent investment in our team and this specific win over Endicott, we now have a chance to play for a championship.”

The women will play at Olympia Ice Center on Saturday, March 2nd at 7 p.m. The Student Fan Bus will leave from the South Entrance of the Student Center at 4:30 p.m. Students can sign up in the Athletics Office. The first 53 sign-ups will be on the bus.

Various students are excited about the addition of the fan bus for the Women’s Ice Hockey CCC final game against Western New England. Mike Ouellette, a senior Communication major, supports having a fan bus.

“I think the fan bus is a good idea, especially for the people who don’t have cars on campus,” Ouellette said. “I feel like everybody should go to this game, and Curry really needs to pop out.”

Taylor Somers, a first-year Nursing major, says Curry’s done a good job spreading the message.

“I saw the email about it, and I feel like more people will go if they have a way to get there,” Somers said. “And they’re advertising it, which is cool.”

The game itself will offer FREE admission for all Curry students with a Curry ID.

Coach Rider is excited for the opportunity to play in front of many Curry fans in the playoffs.

“The first time having an opportunity to play for a championship is always exciting,” said Rider. “To have it happen this soon in our program makes it even more special.”

Congratulations to the Women’s Hockey Team. BLEED PURPLE!