KEENE, N.H. – The Keene State College women's ice hockey team recently announced their new leadership as sophomore
Ava Iantosca has been named the team's captain ahead of the Owls' first season as a part of the Little East Conference and second year as a program.
Iantosca, a sophomore forward from Dedham, Mass., was a huge part in the Owls' inaugural season as the teams' top goal-scorer after finding the back of the net 15 times, including a team-high of four game-winning goals, and a team-high .192 shooting percentage. Appearing in all 25 games on the season, Iantosca also logged six assists for 21 points, to go with 25 shots blocked on defense and a team-high .63 faceoff percentage in her freshman season. "Ava's selection by her peers speaks volumes about her calm demeanor and her ability to connect with everyone on the team," said Owls' head coach
Rob Morgan. "There are great responsibilities that come with being part of our Leadership Group, and I have complete confidence in their ability to uphold our standards, strengthen our culture, and lead our team with pride and purpose."
Ellie Patrick, a sophomore forward from Belfast, Northern Ireland, returns to the Owls as an alternate captain for her sophomore season. A prospect for the Great Britain national team, Patrick played in all but three games on the season and tallied the fifth-most points on the team with 14. Of her eight goals, she had a team-high of three unassisted goals, to go with her six assists for 14 points on the season. Patrick also played a large part on the Owls' defense as she had 34 shots blocked, the most of any returning Owl.
Molly Price, a sophomore forward from Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, Canada, was one of two new Owls to earn a letter for the 2025-2026 season as she was named to be an alternate captain. Price played in all but one game for KSC in her freshman season and tallied eight points coming from four goals and four assists. Price also recorded an overtime game-winning goal for the Owls as they defeated Nichols College for the Owls' third of four wins in a row early in their inaugural season.
Brianna Finke, a sophomore forward from Cypress County, Alberta, Canada, is the second of the two new Owls to earn a letter for the 2025-2026 season, as she was also named to be an alternate captain. Finke excelled at leading the Owls on the attack in the inaugural season as she led the team in points with 26 points coming from 12 goals and a team-high of 14 assists to go with her team leading +7 +/-. Of her 12 goals, Finke netted a pair of overtime game-winning goals on the year, one of which gave KSC the 3-2 win over Plymouth State University for the first win in program history in the same game that she scored the first goal in KSC history.
"As a team, we're really excited about our Leadership Group," said Morgan. "Each of them embodies what it means to be an Owl — they love Keene State College, are committed to their academics, and work hard to be the best at getting better both on the ice and in the weight room. They're all impactful players who support their teammates and, as a group, work extremely well together."
The Owls kick off their 2025-2026 season on the road with a pair of games at Hilbert College on Friday, October 31, at 7:00 PM and Saturday, November 1, at 2:00 PM. KSC's home opener is on Saturday, November 8, at 7:00 PM as the Owls host No. 15 Norwich University.
