Photo courtesy Quinnipiac Athletics
By: Sierra Goodwill
Following a historic season and a second straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament, three of the seniors on the Quinnipiac women’s ice hockey team will join the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) for the 2016-17 season.
Cydney Roesler, Nicole Connery and Nicole Kosta all signed one-year contracts with the Connecticut Whale.
Roesler was the team captain for the 2015-16 season. Her defensive prowess led the Bobcats to second in the country in team defense, allowing only .92 goals per game under her leadership. The captain tallied 13 points, four goals and nine assists, in her final campaign.
Roesler signed for $15,500.
Connery and Kosta had standout performances in their senior year, both reaching the 100-point mark. Connery’s 33-point showing this past season led her to a career total of 102 points. Her two power play goals and +27 plus/minus rating was a major contributor in the Bobcats’ 25 percent success rate with the extra skater (fourth in the country).
Kosta, a redshirt senior, ended her time as a Bobcat with 123 points. Her 10 goals and 15 assists this season made her a prominent force on offense.
“Two years ago, this wasn’t even an option or a thought in my mind,” Kosta said in an NWHL press release. “To be able to play professional hockey is a great achievement and I’m really humbled to have signed a contract.”
Connery and Kosta signed for $15,000 each.
These three additions make it eight former Quinnipiac players in the NWHL. Others include Kelly Babstock, Shiann Darkangelo, Morgan Fritz-Ward, Elena Orlando and Chelsea Laden.
