LMU Women’s Hockey Is Putting Down Roots in Southern California

A year ago, LMU Women’s Hockey entered its first full season ready to make history.

Now, the Lady Lions are back at Skating Edge Ice Arena for year two, and the story is beginning to shift.

This is no longer simply about launching a women’s collegiate hockey program in Southern California. It’s about building one that lasts.

LMU opened its second season at Skating Edge in a big way, earning a 13–4 victory over USC on September 26.

The matchup was a fitting way to begin a new chapter. USC has been part of the LMU Women’s Hockey story from the very beginning, serving as the opponent for the program’s first-ever game in 2025.

But this season is about more than another win or another first.

After a first full season marked by tremendous growth and a memorable sweep of the University of Washington to close out the year, LMU returns for 2026-27 with more experience, new talent and an even stronger foundation for the future.

For LMU Hockey General Manager Tyler Goeckner-Zoeller, who is entering his 22nd year with the program, the growth may not have happened as quickly as he once imagined. But what he sees now is something perhaps even more important.

“I’m seeing the roots sinking into the ground as we get really good players to join us, who see us as a great hockey experience at a great university experience,” Tyler said.

And as those roots grow, so does the opportunity for the next generation of girls playing hockey in Southern California.

A First Season Built on Growth

LMU’s inaugural full season wasn’t simply about wins and losses.

Tyler saw significant development from the beginning of the season to the end, both in the players’ individual skills and in the way they came together as a team.

“Our players grew immensely from the first game, not only in teamwork but in skill,” he said.

That progress became especially clear during the final weekend of the season.

After losing twice to the University of Washington earlier in the year, LMU welcomed the Huskies to Southern California for a rematch and finished its first full season with two victories, winning 6-4 and 3-2.

For Tyler, the results reflected just how far the team had come.

By the end of the weekend, he could see something beyond the scoreboard: the pride of a group of players who had built something together and completed LMU Women’s Hockey’s first full season.

New Faces Join the Lady Lions

LMU remains a relatively small program as it works to spread the word and recruit more women to the team, but the roster continues to grow.

Three new skaters and a goalie are joining the Lady Lions this season, bringing experience that could make an immediate impact.

Among them is Alexa Novak, an NCAA Division III goalie transfer who Tyler expects will play an important role in the team’s development.

Graduate student Allie Litzinger also joins LMU after previously playing ACHA hockey at the University of Miami.

They’ll join returning players who have been part of building the program from its earliest days.

Ren Martino, the student who helped get the women’s program off the ground, enters her senior year.

And Sarah Gallant, who was part of LMU’s original startup group two years ago, returns after emerging as one of the team’s leading offensive players.

Gallant originally came to LMU without expecting that collegiate hockey would be part of her experience. Now, Tyler describes her as a “bona fide hockey star” with a team growing around her.

It’s a fitting example of exactly what LMU Women’s Hockey is beginning to create: opportunities that previously didn’t exist.

Year Two: Showing LMU Women’s Hockey Is Here to Stay

The goals for season two are ambitious, but they aren’t entirely about the standings.

LMU wants to keep improving. It wants to welcome new players. And, importantly, it wants to demonstrate that women’s hockey has a lasting place at the university.

“The goals for the year are to have a fun season, to continue to show that LMU Women’s Hockey is here to stay and to grow,” Tyler said, “and that we can’t wait to have women’s players join us on the ice and campus for years to come.”

The 2026-27 schedule also brings new competition.

After facing teams including Boise State and the University of Washington last season, LMU will add matchups with Grand Canyon University (GCU) and the University of New Mexico (UNM) this year.

UNM will be a particularly familiar opponent, with four meetings between the programs during the season, including an early road trip for the Lady Lions.

From Building LMU Hockey to Building Something New

Tyler has a unique perspective on what it takes to build a hockey program.

He helped restart LMU Hockey more than two decades ago and is now entering his 22nd year with the organization.

That experience has given him patience when it comes to the women’s program.

Growth doesn’t always happen overnight.

But talented players are beginning to find LMU. A team culture is forming. Recruiting is growing. And another season means another opportunity to show prospective players what collegiate hockey at LMU can look like.

For Tyler, those are signs that the foundation is taking hold.

And once those roots are established, he believes the program can grow much faster.

Giving Young Girls Something They Can See

Perhaps the biggest impact of LMU Women’s Hockey won’t be measured by this season’s record.

It may be measured by who is watching.

At Skating Edge, young hockey players can learn the game and then watch collegiate women compete on that very same ice.

For girls growing up playing hockey in Southern California, that visibility matters.

“The best thing is when any young kid watches one of our games with excitement,” Tyler said. “But for women’s college hockey to be growing locally, it will provide a realistic goal to our local youth players.”

That’s what makes having LMU Women’s Hockey at Skating Edge particularly meaningful.

The players on the ice aren’t simply competing.

They’re showing younger players another place hockey can take them.

Watch LMU Women’s Hockey at Skating Edge

Fans will have plenty of opportunities to support the Lady Lions at Skating Edge Ice Arena throughout the 2026-27 season.

2026-27 LMU Women’s Hockey Home Games at Skating Edge

September 26 | USC | 5:50 PM
November 20 | GCU | 8:50 PM
November 21 | GCU | 5:50 PM
January 16 | UCLA | 5:50 PM
January 29 | Boise State | 8:50 PM
January 30 | UCLA | 5:50 PM
February 6 | USC | 5:50 PM
February 12 | UNM | 8:50 PM
February 13 | UNM | 5:50 PM

Admission
Adults: $10
Students: $5
LMU Students with ID: FREE
Kids 12 & Under: FREE

Whether you’re a longtime hockey fan, an LMU supporter, or a young player wondering where the game could take you next, come experience collegiate women’s hockey right here in Harbor City.

The Next Chapter Is Just Beginning

One season can establish a program.

Building a tradition takes time.

LMU Women’s Hockey enters year two with more experience, new talent and a growing belief in what the program can become.

The first season was about making history.

Now, it’s about building a future.

And at Skating Edge Ice Arena, we’re proud to have a front-row seat as the Lady Lions continue putting down roots in Southern California.