Fox Cities News

During the 2020-21 academic year, Lawrence University introduced women's hockey as its 22nd varsity athletics program. Now, four years later, nine seniors who have been with the team since its inception are preparing to graduate.

These seniors will play their final game as Vikings on February 10 at the Champion Center in Appleton. On January 20, they were celebrated during the program's first Senior Day, which included a victory against the University of Dubuque. In that game, senior goalie Sydney Seeley stopped 37 shots while seniors Delaney Kingsland, Lauren Askenazy, and Lindsey Gulliksen scored key goals.

The group of nine seniors includes Lauren Moravchik from Lonsdale, Minnesota; Jessie Arons from Palo Alto, California; Delaney Kingsland from Amesbury, Massachusetts; Gigi Wood from Lake Villa, Illinois; Lauren Askenazy from Albuquerque, New Mexico; Laney Martens from Snowmass Village, Colorado; Lindsey Gulliksen from Mount Prospect, Illinois; Molly Jastrab from Silver Lake, Wisconsin; and Sydney Seeley from Prescott, Wisconsin.

Molly Jastrab reflected on their journey: “With the understanding that we are constructing the foundation of a program that will long outlive us,” she said. “During the first two seasons, we were faced with unpredictable challenges that forced us to adapt and grow together.”

Kingsland highlighted her favorite memory as the team's first win against Northland: “It was a lot of trying new things... but we are already headed in the right direction with a very bright future for the program.”

Sydney Seeley recalled another significant moment: “It just felt so rewarding—like our hard work over the past couple of seasons had finally paid off.”

The Senior Day event attracted one of the largest crowds in the program's history. Kingsland noted how fan support impacts games: “The atmosphere of the rink so intense... all the more enjoyable.”

Lauren Askenazy shared her experience scoring her first collegiate goal: “Seeing how far we have come as a program is very rewarding."

Fourteen players debuted with Lawrence's women's hockey team in 2021. Reflecting on their growth since then, Moravchik stated: "We have demonstrated perseverance and determination... our confidence and skill level has grown."

As these seniors prepare to leave Lawrence University behind them, they recognize their role in building something lasting. Laney Martens emphasized this sentiment: “The best thing about starting a new program is there are a lot of firsts that you get to share with all of your teammates."