MEQUON, Wis. – The 2025-26 season will be remembered as one of the most successful campaigns in Concordia University Wisconsin Women's Ice Hockey history. The Falcons set multiple program records, earned national recognition, collected numerous conference awards, and hosted their first-ever NCHA Slaats Cup semifinal contest while finishing with a 24-3-1 overall record and a 16-1-1 mark in Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) play.
Concordia opened the season with a 3-1 victory over St. Mary's and quickly established itself as one of the top teams in the conference. The Falcons began NCHA play with another 3-1 win, this time over Trine, setting the tone for a historic conference campaign.
The Falcons finished second in the NCHA regular season standings, the highest conference finish in program history. Along the way, the program continued to rewrite its record book and elevate itself among the nation's elite Division III programs.
One of the season's defining moments came on December 14 when senior standout Makayla Spejcher scored her 51st career goal against UW-Stevens Point, breaking the program's all-time individual goals record.
Concordia continued making history on January 9 when it defeated Beloit to secure its 11th consecutive victory, surpassing the previous program record of 10 straight wins that had been established during the 2024-25 season.
National attention soon followed. On January 17, the Falcons earned one of the biggest wins in program history, shutting out No. 14 St. Norbert by a 4-0 score. Less than a month later, Concordia added another statement victory with a 6-3 triumph over No. 9 Adrian on February 9.
The Falcons' success was reflected in the national rankings. Concordia entered the USCHO.com Division III Women's Ice Hockey Poll at No. 14 on January 19 before climbing to No. 12 one week later on January 26, marking one of the highest national rankings in program history.
January also saw Mackaylan McGown recognized as the NCHA Women's Hockey Player of the Month after helping lead the Falcons through one of the most successful stretches in program history.
Concordia closed out conference regular season play with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Marian before turning its attention to postseason competition.
In the NCHA Slaats Cup Playoffs, the Falcons advanced through the quarterfinal round with a two-game sweep of Aurora. Concordia earned a 3-2 victory on February 20 before completing the series with a 5-1 win the following day. The victories secured the program's first opportunity to host an NCHA semifinal contest.
The historic season came to a close on February 28 in the NCHA semifinals, as the Falcons fell to St. Norbert by a 3-2 score. Despite the result, the season represented a significant step forward for the program and further established Concordia as a contender within the conference and nationally.
The Falcons' success was recognized throughout the conference awards season. Head Coach Steve Fabiili was named NCHA Coach of the Year after guiding Concordia to its best conference finish in program history. McGown earned NCHA Co-Player of the Year honors, while
Abby Hansberger was selected as the NCHA Freshman of the Year.
Concordia placed four student-athletes on the All-NCHA Team, including Brenna-Grace Dittmer, Hansberger, McGown, and Spejcher. Hansberger was also named to the NCHA All-Freshman Team.
Hansberger authored one of the most impressive rookie campaigns in program history, breaking the program's single-season records with 27 assists and 46 points. McGown also etched her name into the record book, setting a new single-season goals record with 20.
National honors followed for both players as McGown and Hansberger were named CCM Hockey/AHCA All-Americans, becoming the first All-American selections in program history. Hansberger also earned recognition from D3 Hockey News as a member of its All-Rookie Team.
McGown's remarkable season was further recognized when she was named Concordia Wisconsin's Athletics Female Athlete of the Year.
Excellence extended beyond the ice as Naomi Black, Dittmer, and McGown were named CSC Academic All-District At-Large selections.
The Falcons also placed 14 student-athletes on the NCHA All-Academic Team: Hailey Calliguri,
Charlotte Toor, Black,
Carolyn Bourgeault, Dittmer,
Sydney Fergusson,
Taylor Heleniak,
Ava Litkey, McGown,
Scout Stromberg,
Julie Barlow,
Maddy Jugan,
Jordan McQuade, and
Riley Veldman.
With record-breaking performances, conference championships contention, national rankings, historic postseason milestones, and unprecedented individual recognition, the 2025-26 season stands as one of the greatest in program history and a benchmark for future Falcons teams.
