2025-26 Season Week 5 Recap

Week 5 of College Hockey South action delivered high-energy matchups, rivalry drama, and standout performances across all divisions. From Tampa’s dominant weekend to South Florida’s statement sweep in the women’s division, teams are beginning to establish themselves as early-season contenders.

Game of the Week: Tampa (M2) @ Florida Atlantic (M2)

With both programs coming off National Championship victories last season, Week 5’s Game of the Week matchup was sure to be eventful. Unfortunately for the Owls, the Spartans saw most of the action this weekend, as they swept Florida Atlantic in a three-game set: 9-2, 5-4 and 9-1.

The Spartans struck first in Friday night’s matchup, courtesy of Cole Saterdalen, just 5:32 into the contest. Just under halfway through the period, Cayden Hardie added another on behalf of the Spartans, doubling their lead heading into the middle frame. 

The lone goal of the second period came off the stick of Robbie Seewagen, bringing Tampa’s lead to 3-0 with 20 minutes left to play. 

Florida Atlantic tallied its first goal, courtesy of Brady Baehser, just 40 seconds into the third period, but the Spartans wasted no time reinstating their three-score lead, as Billy McCann found the back of the net less than two minutes after Baehser.

Baehser struck again for the Owls with 16:07 on the clock to bring the score to 4-2. Despite his efforts, it would be Florida Atlantic’s last goal of the contest. 

Tampa collected five more goals before the game’s conclusion: Cole Vallese (2), Jake Stapert, Tim O’Connell and Seewagen added goals in the final frame, and Tampa skated away with a dominant 9-2 win to kick off its weekend slate. The rest of the weekend followed suit, as the Spartans picked up two more wins over the Owls — 5-4 (Overtime) and 9-1 — to solidify their sweep. 

Next weekend, Tampa will look to continue its winning streak against Tennessee.

Jacksonville (ACDC) vs Florida (ACDC)

The Florida Gators defeated the Jacksonville Dolphins, 4-1, on Friday night, rebounding from their 7-4 loss to the North Florida Ospreys last weekend. With the win, the Gators remain undefeated in CHS matchups.

The Dolphins opened the scoring just 4:26 into the contest, as Jonathan Leat found the back of the net without help. Though Jacksonville maintained its 1-0 lead through the entirety of the first and half of the second periods, Florida’s Bodhi Duncan netted the equalizer just over halfway through the middle frame. Nicholas Renton and Robert Seaman added two more goals on behalf of the Gators to establish a 3-1 lead heading into the final 20 minutes of play. 

Aadyn Riley punctuated Florida’s win with the Gators' fourth and final goal with just under three minutes left.

USF (W) @ Miami (W)

The South Florida Ice Bulls dominated their weekend series against Miami, sweeping the Hurricanes 12-2 and 7-0.

Miami opened the scoring less than a minute into the first period, as Alex Meola found the back of the net, with help from Scarlet Chatham, to take an early lead. However, the Ice Bulls responded with back-to-back goals just 25 seconds apart, both from Skye Tittle with help from Chloe Valente, to claim the lead. Anne Bachand added a goal for South Florida before the first period’s conclusion, bringing the score to 3-1 in favor of the Ice Bulls.

Valente added a goal of her own within the first six minutes of the middle frame to extend South Florida’s lead to 4-1. In an attempt to pull the game back within reach for Miami, Chatham found the back of the net with 12:57 on the clock. However, Valente tallied another goal shortly after to reinstate the Ice Bulls’ three-goal lead. They recorded four more goals in the second period — from Eris Lustan, Tittle, Caitlin Rodley and Valente — and four in the final period to cap off their dominant win. 

The Ice Bulls will look to carry the momentum from their sweep into their series against the Tampa Lady Spartans next weekend.

War on I-4: USF (M3) vs UCF (M3)

The latest edition of the War on I-4 lived up to its billing, as South Florida and Central Florida split their weekend series. The Ice Bulls took home an 11-2 win on Friday night, and the Knights responded with a 7-4 win on Saturday. 

The Knights claimed a two-goal lead during the first period, courtesy of Robert Renner and Justin Stirling. While the Ice Bulls were scoreless in the first, they certainly came out swinging in the second, recording five of their 11 goals in the middle frame. 

Seven players recorded a goal in South Florida’s seemingly dominant weekend debut: Ryan Lohrius, John Heller, Jacob Duhaime (3), Nolan Ott, Grant Dietz (2), Kevin Tompakov and Max Mudge (2). Duhaime led the scoring for South Florida, as he tallied a hat trick and three assists in the win.

The following day, the Knights collected four first-period goals to jumpstart their 7-4 comeback win. Despite the Ice Bulls’ efforts for a repeat performance of the night before, Central Florida’s early lead was too great to overcome, and despite its best efforts — including two more goals from Duhaime — South Florida fell short in the War on I-4’s second leg. 

Central Florida will take on Kennesaw State next weekend, while South Florida will travel to face off against the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles.

Kennesaw State (M3) @ Florida Atlantic (M3)

The Kennesaw State Owls split their away weekend with the Florida Atlantic Owls. The visiting Owls fell short in the first game, 6-5, but took home the second game, 6-4. 

Despite suffering an early 2-0 deficit in the first period, Florida Atlantic’s offense shone as the Owls recorded five goals in the second period. Drew Renzi, Alex Bartosevich, Carter Baker, Sam Watson and Chris Iancelli all found the back of the net in Florida Atlantic’s offensive surge. As both sides traded goals in the middle frame, the score was a 5-5 deadlock heading into the final period. Unfortunately for Kennesaw State, Watson sealed the deal for Florida Atlantic early in the third.

However, the Owls quickly bounced back the following day. Kennesaw State opened the scoring in the second game, as William Cawston found the back of the net just 30 seconds into the first frame. Watson tied the game at one just three minutes later for FAU, but the home team’s joy was short-lived, as Kennesaw State recorded two more goals — one from Ayden Nulty and the other from Cawston — to establish a 3-1 lead heading into the second. 

Florida Atlantic’s AJ Berry brought the game within striking distance early in the second, followed by Watson’s second goal of the night, which tied the game at 3-3 heading into the third. While the home Owls collected another goal early in the third, the visitors tallied three to solidify their 6-4 win. 

Looking ahead, Florida Atlantic will take on Embry-Riddle next weekend, while Kennesaw State will face off against Central Florida.

Looking Ahead: Battle at the Beach Tournament

College Hockey South now turns its attention to the Battle at the Beach Tournament, set to take place in Fort Lauderdale. Fans can read more about the event here, which promises elite matchups and the electric atmosphere that defines CHS competition.

Tickets are available for purchase both at the door and online through the College Hockey South Shop. Weekend passes are $25, single-day adult tickets are $20, and child/senior tickets are $15.

All tournament games will be streamed live on the College Hockey South YouTube Channel, bringing every goal and highlight to fans nationwide.

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.