Women’s Hockey Predicted CCC Coaches Preseason Favorite

CCC RELEASE 

BEVERLY, Mass. – Fresh off its first-ever conference championship, the Suffolk women's hockey team has been picked to hoist the conference trophy yet again in 2023-24 as the Rams sit atop the Commonwealth Coast Conference Coaches Preseason Poll, the league office announced Monday morning.  

Suffolk is considered the conference's top contender for the first time in program history with 45 points after a vote by the league's seven head coaches, four of who voted the Rams first. Under new leadership of first-year head coach Abby Ostrom, the blue-and-gold aims to become the first team under the CCC umbrella to repeat as conference champs. 

Suffolk's quest will be no easy feat as it will have to go through projected second-place finisher Endicott, who was just two points behind the Rams with 43 and had a pair of first place picks as well. 

The rivals met in last season's title tilt where Suffolk skated by the Gulls, 2-1 in Eastie, March 4, 2022. Endicott has a commanding 3-8-0 lead in the all-time series. 

Western New England (31) checks in at No. 3, while the University of New England (30) and Salve Regina, who saw the remaining first-place vote, (18) close out the top five. Curry (16) and Nichols (9) file out the remainder of the poll.  

Ostrom takes over a Suffolk squad that skated in the NCAAs for the first time in program history a year ago. She has a core group of veteran leadership for her first season including All-CCC and all-region performer Leslie Steiner (6g, 5a). Goaltender Lily O'Neil (1.61 GAA, .939 save %) and forwards Sam Molind (5g, 12a) and Jenna Caballero (7g, 6a) are back in a Suffolk sweater as well.

The Rams are set to drop the puck on their sixth season this weekend at the Utica Kick-Off Tournament. Suffolk's season opener pits the blue-and-gold against the tourney's host Utica Friday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. Pending game one's results, Suffolk will face either Adrian or Elmira Saturday, Oct. 28.