2025-26 Season Week 17 3 Stars of the Week
- Sierra Knight
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
College Hockey South’s inaugural women’s showcase coincided with the Gasparilla Pirate Festival, setting the stage for big moments and even bigger performances. Six women’s programs took the ice in Wesley Chapel, Florida, for a weekend of must-see hockey. This week’s three stars navigated strong competition and hit their mark.
1st Star - Averi Zhong, Auburn University (W) - 5 Goals, 4 Assists, 9 Points in 2 Games Played
Auburn dropped its anchor in Gasparilla, determined to claim the pirate prize. Squeezing past Clemson in a 6-5 game that went down to the wire, Auburn went on to dominate in a decisive 12-1 victory over Miami. The team’s explosive offense was led by this week’s first star.
Auburn forward Averi Zhong was unstoppable, scoring an impressive five goals against Miami. She ended the weekend with an additional 4 assists and 9 points across two games. Zhong left it all out on the ice, helping Auburn claim one of the weekend’s strongest performances at the showcase.
2nd Star - Kristina Bahl, University of Florida (W) – 3 Goals, 2 Assists, 5 points in 1 Game Played
Kristina Bahl sailed into Gasparilla, helping the University of Florida navigate rough waters and come out on top against Clemson. The Gators put up a big 9-3 win over the Tigers. This remarkable performance was led by Bahl, who completed the hat trick, ending her weekend with 3 goals, 2 assists, and 5 points.
Her performance sparked the Gators’ offense with goals from four different Florida players throughout the game. Bahl stood out against this weekend’s competitive field, earning her star status and well-deserved bragging rights.
3rd Star - Ava Johnson, University of Tampa (W) - 3 Goals, 3 Assists, 6 Points, in 2 Games Played
Tampa proved why they rule the seven seas of Gasparilla and the College Hockey South standings with another huge weekend. They secured the win over South Florida with a 9-2 victory and sailed past Clemson 9-1. These wins showcased the Spartans' powerful offensive play.
Ava Johnson’s three goals earned her this week’s third star. Her hat trick against the Tigers served as a reminder that Tampa is here to stay. Johnson went on to put up three assists, earning 6 points over the 2 games played. Her performance was one of several strong offensive efforts across the Tampa lineup. With a stellar performance by Johnson and a strong weekend for the team, Tampa continues to establish itself as the benchmark in the division.
The incredible performances by this week’s 3 stars did not just make history at the Gasparilla showcase; they highlighted the depth, skill, and competitiveness of women’s hockey in College Hockey South. From the opening puck drop, the showcase featured high-level competition and impressive on-ice performances. The Women’s Division continues to grow and dominate, showing that women’s hockey belongs everywhere, especially in the South.
Congratulations to Averi Zhong, Kristina Bahl and Ava Johnson for earning honors as College Hockey South’s Three Stars of Week 17!
ABOUT College Hockey South: Founded in 2008, College Hockey South is a 29-school, 45 team intercollegiate hockey conference spanning eight southeastern U.S. states. College Hockey South is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization.