WINONA, Minn. — The season is almost here! In just over a week, the Saint Mary's women's hockey team, who is already receiving votes to be nationally ranked, hits the ice to kick off an exciting opening weekend at home.

The Cardinals 2025-26 season kicks off next Friday, October 24, with a 7:00 p.m. exhibition matchup at home against No. 6-ranked St. Norbert College. The action continues Saturday, October 25, as they host the annual Ice Breaker, taking on MSOE at 2:00 p.m. for a day packed with celebration, games, food, and more.

The team aims to build on a strong 2024-25 campaign that saw them reach the MIAC Semifinals for the second consecutive year, narrowly falling 3-2 to No. 2-ranked Augsburg in what became the longest game in NCAA Division III women's hockey history, stretching into four overtimes.

"We're excited to build on last year's strong finish and make a deeper playoff run," said head coach Heath Isaacson, who heads into his second season. "We are growing and evolving, and with nine talented newcomers joining the team, we're ready to take the next step."

The team set a program record last season with eight players earning conference honors. While three of those players have since graduated, the Cardinals return both goaltenders, sophomore Magali Fillion, who received Honorable Mention recognition, and senior Celeste Rimstad, who was named to the All-Playoff Team. 

Offensively, the team also brings back its top two scoring threats in Sophia Paduano and Reese Heitzman. Paduano earned All-Conference honors after leading the team with 27 points, including a team-high 16 assists and 11 goals. Heitzman, who received Honorable Mention, led the Cardinals in goals with 12, adding 10 assists for a total of 22 points for second-most on the team.

This season, the team's first two official games — excluding exhibitions — will be on the road at Concordia Wisconsin, with matchups scheduled for Friday, October 31 at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 1 at 3:00 p.m. 

They will kick off conference play the following week with games against Hamline on November 14 and 15.

Amid an already demanding conference schedule, the Cardinals will cap off their nonconference slate with a road game against defending national champion UW-River Falls on Tuesday, February 10 at 7:05 p.m.

The Cardinals will celebrate Senior Day on Saturday, February 14, when they host St. Olaf for a 3:00 p.m. puck drop. Their final regular-season home game is scheduled for Friday, February 20, against Augsburg. 

The MIAC Women's Hockey Playoffs are set to begin on Wednesday, February 25, running through the final week of February and into March.

The Saint Mary's women's hockey team is excited to welcome nine new Cardinals to the roster. Coach Isaacson said he's looking forward to seeing the unique skills each player brings and how they'll fit into the lineup as the season gets underway.

"The biggest difference this year is having the full staff here for the entire preseason. We've been able to go through everything from start to finish to get the team ready and really start integrating what we want to accomplish this season."

The Cardinals aren't just preparing for the season, they're aiming to make it one to remember.