A Look At Team USA Ahead Of The FISU World University Games

Canada and USA are always top contenders for medals in international women's hockey play. It's no different at the upcoming FISU World University Games (Universaide) in Italy. Canada's roster is made up of players from U Sports, while USA's roster, traditionally built from NCAA DIII players, will this season be composed of players from ACHA Division I hockey.

“This is an exciting opportunity to showcase ACHA women’s hockey talent on the international stage,” said Lindsey Ellis head coach of the U.S. Women’s National University Team, and head coach of Arizona State. “Our team represents players and universities from across the nation, and we have high expectations for this group.”

Leading the way on USA's roster are six members of the University of Michigan women's hockey team. Michigan's women's hockey program has been pushing to become a new NCAA Division I team for years, with the school refusing to make a varsity women's hockey program, which would be the only in the state of Michigan.

Michigan's leading scorer Julia Lindahl is among those representing her school. She has 23 points in 14 games so far this season, as is Lucy Hanson, who has 21 points in 14 games. They're joined up front by several ACHA standouts including Halle Hansen, who has averaged well over a point-per-game in her four seasons at the University of Utah, Liberty University's Brielle Fussy, and Indiana Tech's Allison Greene. The blueline will be anchored by Minot State's Paige Ackerman, while netminders Sandrine Ponath of the University of Michigan, and Adrian College's Rieley Jessie-Gerelli will be counted on to shut down the opposition.

USA will play in Group A at the event alongside Czechia, Japan, and Kazakhstan, while Group B will feature Canada, Slovakia, Great Britain, and Chinese Taipei.

USA's roster includes players from seven states and 11 different schools.