IIHF.com 

TORRE PELLICE, ITALY – Sofia Scilipoti of the Suffolk women's hockey team took her talents to Torre Pellice, Italy, Oct. 3-10 to compete on the Spanish National Team in the Olympic Pre-Qualification Round 2 Group G. The incoming Ram registered two goals including a shootout winner that aided the Spaniards to 2-1 record against the four-team field. 

Scilipoti joined Spain for the pre-qualification tournament in games against Italy, Kazakhstan and Chinese Taipei. 

"It was an incredible honor to represent Spain, Suffolk University, and the Suffolk Women's Hockey team on the world stage at the Olympic Qualification Tournament," Scilipoti said. "I feel as though I grew as a player and a person throughout the tournament and I hope that I can bring all of that knowledge to my game here at Suffolk. I am so grateful for the support of my teammates over the past week and can't wait to get on the ice with them and get things started in the CCC this season!"

Spain's action began Thursday, Oct. 7 with a 4-1 setback to Italy, who went on to earn the berth to the next round of qualification for the XXIV Olympic Winter Games (2022 Winter Olympics) with an unblemished 3-0 mark.  

Two days after the setback, Suffolk's junior took on a hero role in a 3-2 shootout victory over Kazakhstan, who entered the game as the favorite. The Kazakhs had its chances to take the win in regulation by outshooting the Spaniards, 38-13, but Spain's netminder Alba Gonzalo was up for the challenge with 36 saves in 65 minutes of play to set up the shootout. That's where Scilipoti came in. The Toronto, Ontario native took Spain's first penalty shot and the right-handed player's stick would be the only one to find the back of the net in five rounds of shots to lift Spain to victory. 

Spain went on to capture its second triumph of the pre-qualification round, a 4-0 shutout of Chinese Taipei, 22 hours after its upset victory against Kazakhstan. Scilipoti played a part in that cleansheet with an unassisted goal in the second period. 

Scilipoti, who is set to begin her first season in a blue-and-gold sweater as a junior, spent the last two years in Majadahona, Spain, while studying psychology at Suffolk Madrid. The forward earned her spot on the Spanish National team after a standout tryout camp Aug. 31-Sept. 5. 

Scilipoti's national team debut preceded her first-ever practice with Suffolk, who dropped the puck on training sessions Monday, Oct. 11. She is back stateside and practicing alongside the Rams for their 2021-22 season-opener against Plymouth State Friday, Oct. 29 at Louis E. Porrazzo Memorial Skating Rink at 6 p.m. 

Women's Hockey's Scilipoti on Spanish National Team