Week eleven of College Hockey South promises an exciting slate of games, including the much-anticipated Columbus Classic tournament. Originally scheduled for late September, the event will bring together six of CHS’s top women’s teams in Columbus, GA.
Game of the Week: Columbus Classic: Saturday, Nov. 16 - University of Alabama (W) vs. University of Tampa (W)
The Columbus Classic's feature game will be a showdown between the University of Alabama Frozen Tide and the University of Tampa Lady Spartans.
The Frozen Tide, currently leading the women’s division with ten points, seeks to maintain its dominance. The Lady Spartans, however, are no strangers to the spotlight. They claimed both the Columbus Classic and the conference championship last year.
Under Head Coach Lee Zerfass, the Lady Spartans look to mute Alabama’s offensive firepower. In their games against the University of Miami Hurricanes, Tampa won by at least seven goals, including one shutout. The Spartans will need a similar effort to contain Alabama’s offensive firepower.
The Alabama Frozen Tide is ending nearly a month-long break from action with their arrival in Columbus. The women are set on taking the title from Tampa and bringing the trophy home to Tuscaloosa.
Saturday, Nov. 16th, 1:45 PM ET- Alabama Frozen Tide vs Tampa Lady Spartans
Columbus Classic Day 1: Friday, Nov. 15
The Columbus Classic will kick off with the Auburn University Tigers facing the University of South Florida Lady Bulls. Both teams are tied for second place in the standings, setting the stage for a passion-filled game.
The Lady Bulls are riding high after three big wins against Tennessee, Georgia, and Georgia Southern. Jules Eisenberg and Lauren Pinajian are the dynamic duo for the South Florida women – their names were recorded on the goal sheet for each of the three victories.
The Tigers recorded two 4-0 shutouts in their most recent games against the Tennessee Volunteers. This is thanks to the efforts of netminder Stephanie Xhumba, who will once again have to aim for perfection if she hopes to hold out the Ice Bulls’ attack.
The second game of the Columbus Classic will feature the University of Georgia Ice Dawgs and the Tampa Lady Spartans. The Ice Dawgs are 2-4 on the season, and a win against the Lady Spartans would be a chance for the women to prove themselves against a robust set of skaters.
The opening day in Columbus will conclude with a clash between the Frozen Tide and Hurricanes. After two agonizing losses to Tampa in week nine, the Miami squad will want to start their weekend with a win against a mighty Alabama team.
4:00 PM ET- Auburn University vs University of South Florida
5:45 PM ET- University of Georgia vs University of Tampa
7:30 PM ET- University of Alabama vs University of Miami
Columbus Classic Day 2: Saturday, Nov. 16
In addition to the game of the week, the second day of the Columbus Classic will see a clash between the Ice Dawgs and the Lady Bulls. Georgia looks to upset the Ice Bulls and become 1-1 on the season against South Florida.
Previously meeting on November 9, the Lady Bulls defeated the Ice Dawgs by a score of 7-3. Standout players Lauren Pinajian and Anne Bachand each tallied two goals for South Florida. They will need to lead their offense again if they want to endure a revengeful Georgia lineup.
Saturday’s closing game in Columbus will be between Auburn and Miami. The ‘Canes will need to make waves on the ice to edge out the Tigers.
12:00 PM ET- University of Georgia vs University of South Florida
3:30 PM ET- Auburn University vs University of Miami
Columbus Classic Day 3: Sunday, Nov. 17
The final day of the Columbus Classic will open with a close contest between sixth—and seventh-ranked Georgia and Miami. Both teams will need to set their offenses on fire to add to their win column.
Ice Dawgs Madeline Walker and Paige Oukes earned a hat trick in the team’s last game against the Tennessee Lady Vols. The Ice Dawgs must bring this same hunger to withstand the Hurricanes.
For the ‘Canes, Megan Malolepszy leads the team in goals. Recording a hat trick in Miami’s only win against USF.
Alabama and USF will close out their weekend in what is sure to be a thriller. The first and second-ranked teams will battle over the top spot in the women’s division.
Samantha Lantz and Claire Carson of the Frozen Tide have led the team in scoring throughout the season. Against the Ice Bulls’ offensive firepower in Eisenberg and Pinajian, the meeting of the two teams will be action-packed.
The Columbus Classic will wrap up with Tampa and Auburn facing off. The defending champs must beat the brick wall hanging around the Auburn net. Molly Braga and Ava Johnson of Tampa are the most consistent among the Spartans’ goal-scorers and will be looking to keep their momentum going.
For the Tigers, Abby Lin and Gabriella Donato bring the boom. Donato racked up three goals in the series against Tennessee, and Lin a total of four.
10:00 AM ET- University of Georgia vs University of Miami
11:45 AM ET- University of Alabama vs University of South Florida
1:30 PM ET- Auburn University vs University of Tampa
Vanderbilt University (D2) at Middle Tennessee State University (D2)
The Vanderbilt Commodores will face the Middle Tennessee State(MTSU) Blue Raiders for the top spot in the Division 2 North standings. Middle Tennessee sits atop the standings, with Vanderbilt just one spot behind. If the Commodores wish to climb to the first spot, they must beat the Raiders in regulation.
Middle Tennessee is on a ten-game win streak, and the last thing they want is an in-state rival to end it. They have won twelve of fourteen games played and have a perfect 4-0-0 record within the division.
Vanderbilt is coming off a two-week break, giving them a minor advantage over the Raiders, who last played in week nine. The Commodores will rely on Reese Popkin and Michael Cowling, who have combined for eleven goals this season, to put a dent in MTSU’s momentum.
Both games will occur at 8:45 P.M. CST at the Ford Ice Center. Game one is on Friday, November 15, and game two is set for Saturday, November 16.
Florida Atlantic University (D3) vs. Florida Institute of Technology (D3)
The Florida Atlantic Owls overtook the first-place spot in the College Hockey South Division 3 South Standings after Week 10. Now in second are the Florida Tech Panthers, who are looking to regain the throne.
Florida Tech embarrassed North Florida in its last two games, winning with scores of 15-4 and 13-2. In these two games, twelve Panthers contributed to the 28 total goals. Steven Rossi, Seamus Buckley, and Santino Chancio led the charge against the Ospreys.
The Owls must keep a sharp eye on the Panthers' scattered offensive attack. But they also bring an offense filled with many contributors. In their last three games, the Owls scored 43 goals – outscoring their opponents by 35.
The first game will occur on Friday, November 15, at 7:30 P.M. EST. The Owls will host at the Boca Ice Center. The second meeting between the teams will be on Saturday, November 16, at 11:00 P.M. EST at the Space Coast Iceplex. Florida Tech will host.
ABOUT College Hockey South: Founded in 2008, College Hockey South is a 30-school, 50-team intercollegiate hockey conference spanning eight southeastern U.S. states that competes in AAU College Hockey. College Hockey South is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization.