Sun Devils Look to Sweep Season Series Against GCU

Picture credit: Kiara Quiroz 

November 15, 2024 – Parker Beh

TEMPE, Ariz. – The Arizona State women’s hockey team (4-3-1-0) returns to action this Friday at the Mountain America Community Iceplex (MACI) against Grand Canyon University (GCU; 5-5-0-0). The Sun Devils are coming off a nail-biting 2-1 overtime win over the University of Arizona on Nov. 8. However, ASU will need to rely on its depth once again this week with two players potentially out with concussion-related symptoms. 

“It’s great having a 30-person roster; it isn’t ideal at times, but especially in weeks like this when we have injuries, concussions and so many different things, we’re able to put people in different spots,” Arizona State head coach Lindsey Ellis said.

Among the lineup changes, the Sun Devils moved freshman forward Paige Brien up to the first line last game. The Madison, Wis., native played alongside senior forward Sam Murphy and junior forward Breanne Powell. Sophomore forward Sabrina Enright dressed in her second game of the season, playing a fourth-line role, and freshman defenseman Gracie Bagnall-Dubras made her debut on the blue line.

Most notably, ASU sophomore goalie Brooke Kimel made her ACHA debut in net. The 5-foot-3-inch puck-stopper saved 25 of 26 shots against Arizona. With junior goalie Quinn Eatinger still dealing with a concussion, Kimel will most likely have another opportunity in between the pipes against GCU.

“It’s honestly so high but also very settled into the fact that I did my job,” Kimel said on her confidence level. “I’m comfortable doing it again and again – that’s my role.”

While Ellis didn’t declare a starter for today’s contest against the Antelopes, she highlighted the importance of having a game under Kimel’s belt.

“I think it’s really important,” Ellis said. “That helps her confidence going into it, and you can see it in practice as well with a little pep in her step.”

The Sun Devils’ second line delivered the game-tying goal at the 18:51 mark of the third period. Freshman forward Taylor Bierlmeier’s first career goal in ASU colors couldn’t have come at a better time. The Canadian has centered senior forward Sydney Paulsen and sophomore forward Lula Swanson the past three games. 

“I’ve loved playing with Lula and Taylor,” Paulsen said. “They do a great job of communicating on and off the ice – everyone knows where the other person is going to be.”

Paulsen along with Murphy were named alternate captains last week at the team’s Thursday morning skate.

“I was really excited about that,” Paulsen said after being named an alternate captain. “I’m glad that was able to happen and ultimately really honored that the team named me that.”

Unfortunately for Arizona State, the team’s leading scorer, missed last game’s third period and sat out of practices all week with a concussion. With potentially no Murphy or Eatinger, the team will have to adopt a next-women-up mentality. 

GCU enters the contest winners of four straight, with two wins over Montana State University and the University of Denver. The Antelopes will lean on forward Reese Gingrich, who leads the team in points (8) and has scored three goals against the Sun Devils this season. 

Arizona State defeated GCU 9-3 and 5-1 to open the 2024-25 season. Kimel emphasized the importance of improving the team’s goal differential this week. Currently, the Sun Devils hold a plus-five goal differential. Factoring in ASU’s recent success against the Antelopes, Ellis’s squad will look to boost its record and goal differential – ultimately helping its case to return to the national tournament.  

“We can’t go in and just think that we’re the better team,” Ellis said. “We have to prove it every single time.”

The puck drop is set for 4:35 p.m. MST at the MACI as the Sun Devils look to remain perfect against in-state schools this season.


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