2025-26 Season Week 3 Recap

College Hockey South rolled into its first tournament weekend of the season, featuring eight women’s programs at the third annual Columbus Classic. Across all divisions, CHS squads laced up for 26 games and combined for a staggering 365 goals.

From a new champion crowned, to four overtime thrillers, to penalty boxes that never seemed to empty — Week 3 brought everything you could ask for and more.

Game of the Week: Tampa (W) vs Alabama (W)

The Alabama Frozen Tide entered the Classic seeking redemption after falling to Tampa in last year’s tournament. But the Lady Spartans’ firepower and goaltending once again proved too much, as Tampa blanked Alabama 3–0.

Tampa struck early with first-period goals from Evans and Scheafer, then sealed the win in the third with an insurance tally from Cotter.

The real difference-maker, though, was in net:

• Clara Kurek (Tampa): 19 saves, 1.000 SV% (shutout)

• Natalie Kutz (Alabama): 44 saves on 47 shots

Tampa went on to claim its third straight Columbus Classic title, defeating Georgia 11–3 in the final. The Spartans were led by Molly Braga, Kaylee Cronin, and Laura McGregor, who each finished with 2 goals and 1 assist.

Next up, Tampa hosts Florida State in a two-game set (Sept. 27–28, Clearwater Ice Arena).

South Carolina (M2) @ Tampa (M2)

The defending AAU National Champion Tampa Spartans (M2) made a statement in their opener with a 7–2 win over South Carolina, but the Gamecocks flipped the script in game two, earning a 6–3 victory to split the series.

Friday, Tampa’s Alex Moeller and Michael Schmelzer each netted 2 goals, while the Spartans racked up 34 penalty minutes. Despite the parade to the box, their penalty kill held strong.

Saturday, the Gamecocks exploded with five goals in the opening seven minutes. Despite Tampa’s push, the Gamecocks closed it out 6–3.

Next up, Liberty travels down south to take on Tampa (Sept. 28, Clearwater Ice Arena).

Florida (M2) @ Florida Atlantic (M2)

The Florida Gators rolled into Boca looking to extend their hot start, but the defending National Champion FAU Owls had other plans.

Friday, FAU shut out Florida 6–0, powered by Jake Murphy (2G, 1A) and Brady Baehser (2G, 2A). Goalie Rocco Bruno stopped all 42 shots for the clean sheet.

Sunday was another story as Florida bounced back with a 3–1 win, thanks to goals from Benny Kemly, Noah Horwitz, and Mikey Katz.

Next up, FAU takes on Miami (M3) in a Friday/Saturday battle and Florida takes on South Carolina (M2) in a Friday/Sunday series.

No Time Like Overtime

Four CHS games went beyond regulation this weekend, showing just how thin the margins are in September hockey:

• Miami (M3) vs Lynn (M3): Miami’s Elian Estulian tied it with 7 seconds left in regulation, but Cole Dickinson won it for Lynn in OT (1G, 1A).

• Vanderbilt (M3) vs Alabama–Huntsville: Huntsville clawed back from a 3–0 deficit and sealed a 4–3 OT win on Henry Hoff’s goal with just 13 seconds left.

• ERAU (ACDC) vs UNF: The Eagles edged UNF 6–5 in OT to earn a big early-season win.

• Miami (W) vs Tennessee (W): In a Classic thriller, Tennessee erased a 2–0 deficit and claimed a shootout win on Madilyn Lambert’s game-winner.

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.