ASTON, Pa.  – The Neumann University women's ice hockey team fell to St. John Fisher University 2-1 on Friday evening in the 2025-26 season opener.
 
The Cardinals struck for two goals in the first period, with the first goal coming at the midway point and then again just 1:20 later for the 2-0 lead. St. John Fisher put 16 pucks on net in the first period. Neumann goalie Noelle Woodard stopped 14 of those shots.
 
The Knights had an early power play in the second period and put five shots on net but could not get one past the Cardinals goalie. Neumann kept the pressure on in the second as it had 14 shots on net, 10 on the power play, but could not break onto the scoreboard and the score remained 2-0 after two periods.
 
Neumann had nine power plays in the game, but it was 4-on-4 play when the Knights broke through. Gia Santorello got the puck at the top of the zone and shot a rocket into the back of the net with 4:11 left in the third period. Charlotte Labre and Kaila Booth.
 
The Knights made a push as time was winding down. With the goalie pulled, Neumann put pucks towards the net in the attempt to tie the game, but four went wide, two were blocked and one was saved as the Cardinals held on for the 2-1 win.
 
Santorello led the Knights with six shots. Kenna Sanders and Sammie Haun each had four shots. Woodard made 25 saves in net. The Knights had seven blocked shots.
 
Neumann (0-1-1) and St. John Fisher will meet again tomorrow afternoon beginning at 1:00 PM.