The 2024-2025 College Hockey South season is officially a month in, which means it's time to recognize the athletes who had standout performances in the month of September.
1st Star: (F) John Riggins, University of South Carolina: 9 goals, 5 assists, 14 points in 6 Games
Riggins scored nine goals and five assists representing the University of South Carolina Gamecocks. Riggins found the back of the net in every game, scoring at least once in his six appearances on the ice.
During the Gamecocks’ dominant showing against Alabama, the center had four goals across the two meetings. In his team’s 9-1 win over the Frozen Tide, he scored a shorthanded goal on Alabama’s netminder.
Riggins hopes to keep moving fast and playing smart hockey. Consistency is his main focus throughout the season. But Riggins also contributes his success to his teammates: “We have such a great group of guys, always keeping the game light and fun which has helped me play my best this year.”
2nd Star: (F) Tyler Iles, University of Tennessee: 3 Goals, 6 Assists, 9 Points in 5 Games
Iles scored two goals and two assists during two meetings with Middle Tennessee (MTSU). Finally, in Tennessee’s showdown with in-state rival Vanderbilt, he aided the Vols in sweeping the Commodores with one goal and two assists.
3rd Star: (F) Michael Katz, University of Florida: 5 Goals, 3 Assists, 8 Points in 4 Games
Katz had three goals in the Gators’ opening weekend sweep of the Embry-Riddle (ERAU) Eagles. Despite later falling at home to the Georgia Bulldogs, Katz had two goals and an assist in those two games. He was the lone goal-scorer in the first meeting with the Bulldogs.
Katz’s ability to get behind the defense and put pucks in the net has brought him success in the first month of the season. He is proud of his effort and hopes the Gators can continue to work hard and stay focused, given their schedule’s upcoming difficulty.
Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is home to the CHS Division 2 (D2) stars of the month.
1st Star: (F) Ethan DeMumbrum, Middle Tennessee State University: 7 Goals, 12 Assists, 19 Points in 5 Games
In two authoritative showings against Appalachian State, DeMumbrum totaled four goals and four assists. When facing the Volunteers, he tallied one goal and three assists. In a 27-2 victory over the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), DeMumbrum contributed with two goals and five assists.
Ethan is pleased with his team’s first month of play but knows they have not reached their full potential yet. As the season progresses, DeMumbrum and his team “need to continue executing our coach’s game plan of getting pucks in deep, and we should find ourselves in a great spot by the end of the season.”
2nd Star: (F) Matthew Siciliano, Middle Tennessee State University: 9 Goals, 11 Assists, 20 Points in 6 Games
Against Appalachian State, Siciliano delivered three goals and four assists. He followed that performance with three goals (one of which was shorthanded) and one assist against Tennessee. When facing UAB, he accounted for another three goals and five assists.
3rd Star: (F) Brenden Ogle, Middle Tennessee State University: 8 Goals, 7 Assists, 15 Points in 5 Games
Ogle supplied three goals and five assists for MTSU versus Appalachian State, two goals against Tennessee, and earned himself a hat trick in the first game against UAB.
1st Star: (F) Joseph Lozoraitis, Florida Atlantic University: 3 Goals, 5 Assists, 8 Points in 3 Games
Despite September being his first month of collegiate hockey, Lozoraitis made his name known. Lozoraitis dished out three goals and five assists in three games for the Florida Atlantic Owls in his debut.
He opened the scoring in the Owls’ season opener against USF. Through the two-game series, he tallied two goals and two assists. In the 8-0 shutout of Miami, Lozoraitis chipped in one goal and three assists.
2nd Star: (F) William Hurlburt, University of Tennessee: 5 goals, 2 Assists, 7 Points in 2 Games
In the first of a two-game series against Austin Peay State University, Hurlburt contributed to the Vols’ dominant 16-1 victory with one goal and two assists. Hurlburt flexed his skills in the second game. He provided Tennessee with four pivotal goals in the Vols’ 10-0 shutout of the Governors.
3rd Star: (F) Owen Ferenc, University of Florida: 3 Goals, 4 Assists, 7 Points in 4 Games
In the Gators’ home opener versus Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) D3, Ferenc pitched into the team’s 5-0 shutout with an unassisted goal. When facing the University of North Florida, he put up one goal and two assists in each game.
He attributes his team's perfect season thus far to their ability to wear out their opponents. “We have four solid lines, which allows us to constantly pressure the opposing team and capitalize on their mistakes,” said Ferenc.
All three stars for the women’s division hail from the University of Alabama. The Frozen Tide women remain undefeated through four games.
1st Star: (F) Samantha Lantz, University of Alabama: 7 Goals, 5 Assists, 12 Points in 4 Games
In two commanding victories over Georgia, Sammy recorded a total of five goals and three assists. In the Tide’s tight series against High Point University (HPU), Lantz netted two goals in her team’s 6-5 victory in game one. In a nailbiter 2-1 victory for Lantz and the tide, she assisted teammates on both goals.
2nd Star: (F) Claire Carson, University of Alabama: 7 Goals, 4 Assists, 11 Points in 4 Games
Carson scored both game-winning goals against HPU. Against the Georgia Bulldogs, she scored five goals and three assists.
3rd Star: (F) Anna Zahorchak, University of Alabama: 3 Goals, 4 Assists, 7 Points in 4 Games
Reflecting on September, she knew the team had the potential to do something special. Zahorchak said “one of the greatest things about being with a new program is that the sky is the limit! We are the ones that dictate what we can and cannot do.”
The Alabama Crimson Tide Women’s Hockey Team will continue to give it their all and see where it takes them.
ABOUT College Hockey South: Founded in 2008, College Hockey South is a 30-school, 50-team intercollegiate hockey conference spanning eight southeastern U.S. states that competes in AAU College Hockey. College Hockey South is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization.
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