The men’s hockey team delivered a season to remember, setting a program record with 23 wins and advancing to the Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) Championship game for the first time since 2010.
While they fell short of a title, the past two seasons have marked a turning point for the program. Built on leadership, team chemistry, and a belief that extends beyond the ice, the team proved this newfound success is no fluke, but the new standard.
“This year’s team had great leadership,” said head coach C.J. Marottolo. “We had great captains, great assistant captains, and even the players that weren’t wearing letters that were seniors were great leaders.”
In his 17 seasons at Sacred Heart, Marottolo said this year’s group stands out as one of the closest teams he has ever coached.
“I met with my team a lot this year, and my staff and the players kept saying this is the closest team they’ve ever been a part of,” said Marottolo. “Teams that are close, they care about each other, they love each other, and they’re willing to have that complete buy-in and do whatever it takes for the guy next to you.”
After winning 21 games last season, the Pioneers didn’t dominate out of the gate, opening the year 3-6-1 as their success was shaped through adversity and growth.
“You can’t just throw a team together with a bunch of good guys and talent and expect it to work,” said Marottolo. “There has to be some struggles along the way and adversity, and we had our share of it.”
After returning from winter break, the Pioneers won five of their next seven games, gaining momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.
“It took us until the second half of the season to really see our game take off and our leadership crew take over,” said senior captain Mikey Adamson. “I think the biggest thing is we picked our time and place to talk and say something to the guys whether it was good or bad.”
That late-season surge carried into the Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) Tournament, where the Pioneers held opponents to one goal or less in every win.
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“The playoffs are always tighter and there’s usually better checking and safer plays,” said sophomore goaltender Ajeet Gundarah. “So, when you mix that with us just having a great team, those two things together make my job a lot easier.”
The Pioneers took down Niagara University and Robert Morris University, before advancing to the championship game, where they traveled to Bentley University and ultimately fell 3–2.
“It wasn’t the result we wanted, but it wasn’t for lack of effort or care,” said Marottolo. “What the guys took from it is that it’svery important to finish as high as you can in the regular season to be able to play that game at home. We want that game here next year, and I think that is going to motivate our guys next season.”
Despite back-to-back 20-win seasons, the Pioneers still have unfinished business heading into next season.
“This year we had the expectation of winning, and to come just one goal short of a championship definitely stings,” said Gundarah. “But the precedent going forward is that nothing less than what we did this year will be good enough.”
Athletic Communications contributed to this article.
