Union hockey teams approach 2024-25 season
0
28
SCHENECTADY, NY (NEWS10) -- Hockey season is quickly approaching. The Union women drop the puck this weekend, looking for a program turnaround under a new head coach.
It's the first season for head coach Tony Maci. Maci comes over from Clarkson, where he won two national titles as an assistant. He takes over a program that has never had a winning season, going 8-25-2 last year.
This offseason has served as a time for the staff and the players to get to know each other, as Maci instills his system. "Just as a group, it's building up some core values, doing those types of things," said Maci. "On the ice, we're going to be a very defensive minded team. We're going to be tough to play against. So it's making sure we're cutting down time and space, having good sticks, those types of little nuances and details that you have to stick to in order to make sure you know you're not giving up a lot of chances."
The offseason has also been an opportunity for the players to make an impression. "I think it definitely pushes everyone to be their best," said senior goalie Sophie Matsoukas. "No one's comfortable anymore, which is a good thing. You want to be your best and just challenge everyone else. So I think that it's been definitely a little bit of a challenge, but it's been a good challenge to just push extra hard to prove yourself."
The Garnet Chargers visit Robert Morris for games on Friday and Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Union men's hockey team enters year three under head coach Josh Hauge. Last year, they won an opening round playoff game over Brown, but fell in the quarterfinals to Dartmouth.
That loss has motivated this group all offseason. "I think everybody is really disappointed with how last season ended," said Hauge. "I think we were excited to advance in the playoffs, but once you get that taste, you want more. I think we've had all offseason to think about the series at Dartmouth and what we'd like to do different. Lake Placid is a destination for us and we're expecting to be there."
Union gets their season started at home against Army on October 6.