Fall hockey may be front of mind for many, and the 2025-2026 prep hockey season looms large as well.
Nevertheless, the women's college hockey recruiting cycle continues to charge ahead.
It's been about a month since we last broke down the biggest recruiting news around the region. Naturally, it's a good time to take stock of the latest notable commitments for New England's colleges and recruits.
There's a lot to unpack as several notable dominoes have fallen in the last month.
Three of New England's top goalies committed, while several impactful prep forwards found collegiate homes as well.
Let's dive into the biggest women's college hockey recruiting news from September and the start of October.
Erin Flaherty commits to Boston University
One of the top forwards among our prospects to watch is off the board as Erin Flaherty committed to Boston University.
The Boston, Mass., native won't be going far to play her college hockey, joining a deep Terrier pipeline among the 2008s and '09s.
Flaherty has consistently impressed, be it at St. Paul's, with the Boston Jr. Eagles or at Mass. Hockey Festival.
‘THE REAL WORK STARTS’: What comes next after committing to play college hockey?
The junior led St. Paul's in scoring as a sophomore last season with 25 points (11 goals) in 29 games. It followed an impressive freshman campaign in which she had 17 points (14 assists) in 27 games as the Big Red reached the Elite 8.
Flaherty, an '08, constantly finds ways to impact the play, thanks to her high compete and her relentless puck pursuit, whether on the forecheck or on the back-check. She plays a detailed game in all three zones with quick feet, good offensive instincts and a solid shot.
Evelyn Lacey, Gabby Ogunnupe commit to Brown
The Bears picked up two commitments from prep prospects in Tabor goalie Evelyn Lacey (Braintree, Mass.) and Berkshire defender Gabby Ogunnupe.
Lacey, perhaps prep's most notable uncommitted goalies, is coming off a record-breaking season at Tilton.
The '07 shattered the program's single-season saves record, finishing with 1,114 stops, the most among NEPSAC goaltenders. The 1,165 shots she faced were also the most among prep goalies as she finished with a .956 save percentage. She kept it going with an impressive showing with the Mass. Spitfires 19Us at USA Hockey Nationals.
It followed an equally impressive sophomore season at Tilton in which she finished with a .941 save percentage.
STREAMING WARS:Â Black Bear TV vs. LiveBarn has parents navigating an expensive landscape
Lacey, who moves quickly in the crease, anticipates well and plays big and with an edge, will be a key fixture at Tabor this winter after reclassifying to the class of 2027. She figures to be a massive piece for the Seawolves as they look to improve on last winter's Large School tournament appearance.
Ogunnupe, meanwhile, is coming off a solid debut season at Berkshire, posting 13 points (five goals) in 24 games on the blue line. The St. Albert, AB, native also plays club with the CT Polar Bears.
The '09 impressed at the Beantown Classic this past summer, using her size effectively to win battles in the defensive zone, protect pucks and create space for herself down low.
Katie Hurley commits to St. Cloud State
Another goalie came off the board when Berkshire's Katie Hurley committed to St. Cloud State.
The junior took a step forward for the Bears last season, posting a .943 save percentage as she split the net with then-senior Julia Echavarria, helping Berkshire reach the Large School tournament. It was an improvement on Hurley's freshman season when she had an .896 save percentage, facing a heavier workload.
Hurley followed up the strong campaign in 2024-25 with a great showing for the Connecticut Polar Bears 16U squad at USA Hockey Nationals in the spring, finishing among the top netminders for the week.
WOMEN’S RECRUITING: 2007 commitments | 2008 commitments | 2009 commitments
The '09 impressed with her ability to anticipate plays and her quickness between the pipes. She did a good job of stifling chances in tight, and she had a knack for clutch saves with several breakaway stops.
Hurley will be a big piece for Berkshire this winter as they look to build on last season.
Ava Giroux commits to Dartmouth
Giroux (St. Albans, Vt.) will go from the Big Green to the Big Green after this coming season as the Deerfield standout committed to Dartmouth.
The '07 has been a key fixture in Deerfield's forward group for three seasons, finding her stride with productive sophomore and junior seasons.
She had 16 points (seven goals) in 28 games last year, helping lead the Big Green to a NEPSAC Large School championship before impressing with the East Coast Wizards at USA Hockey Nationals. As a sophomore, the right-shot center had 17 points (six goals) as Deerfield made the Elite 8.
HIGH-END CLASH: 9 standouts from 19U Assabet Valley's win over the East Coast Wizards
The 5-foot-8 power forward is a good puck carrier and has good straight-line speed, which can make her a lot to handle for defenders as she creates offense in transition. Her smarts allow her to force and take advantage of turnovers on the back-check, and she provides a good presence in front of the net in the offensive zone.
Giroux will be at the forefront of Deerfield's Large School title defense this winter.
Bella Zapata, Madeline Carey commit to Stonehill
The Skyhawks picked up a pair of skilled forwards in Westminster's Bella Zapata and Lovell Academy's Madeline Carey.
Zapata's production slipped in prep last season, posting eight points (seven goals) as a sophomore at Westminster. It followed a strong 14-point, 10-goal freshman season as she helped the Martlets reach the Large School tournament.
Nevertheless, Zapata followed her sophomore season with a terrific showing with the 16U Connecticut Polar Bears at USA Hockey Nationals in the spring.
The Vorhees, N.J. native is undersized (listed at 5-foot-1), but her skating ability more than makes up for it. Zapata is an elite skater with good speed. She's shifty, holds up well against physicality and she's a strong play-driver offensively.
STORYLINES:Â 6 early girls prep hockey storylines to watch for 2024-25
Meanwhile, Carey (Braintree, Mass.), an '09, is off to a solid start with the Lovell Academy 16Us this season, posting 12 points (five goals) in 25 games.
The 5-foot-3, right-shot forward had 46 points (25 goals) in 83 games last season. She skated at USA Hockey National 16/17 Camp this summer.
Moira Landsverk commits to New Hampshire
The run on goalies continued as UNH landed Frederick Gunn's Moira Landsverk.
The '09 netminder will be between the pipes at Gunn this winter after standing out at Lovell Academy in 2024-25. The Seattle, Wash., native posted a tremendous .981 save percentage, going a near-perfect 36-1-2 across 39 appearances.
Landsverk also skated at USA Hockey's U18 Women's National Festival in August after impressing at 16/17 Camp earlier in the summer.
She'll be a key piece to Frederick Gunn in 2025-26 as they look to build on a Small School tournament appearance last March.
Other notable commitments…
- Courtney Shifrin commits to Assumption:Â Shifrin (Southborough, Mass.) had nine points (two goals) at Lawrence Academy last season, her first in prep after standing out in the MIAA with Algonquin. The power forward plays a solid two-way game.
- Caroline Clark commits to Syracuse:Â Clark (Marshfield, Mass.) has been a big producer with the Lovell Academy 16Us. This season, she has 25 points (seven goals) in 25 games as she looks to follow up posting 85 points (39 goals) in 83 games last year. She skated at 16/17 Camp this summer.
- Amanda Ranaudo commits to Sacred Heart:Â Ranaudo has been a standout on Canterbury's blue line. The senior had 14 points (eight goals) last winter after 17 points (11 goals) the year before. She has an impressive shot from the point, especially her one-timer, and she does a good job moving pucks up ice.
- Renee Lapointe commits to Minnesota Duluth:Â Lapointe was very impressive at the Beantown Classic this summer, showcasing great hands and vision at the offensive blue line and playing a physical defensive game. She has eight points (three goals) in four games for the Durham West Jr. Lightning so far this season. She had 59 points (19 goals) in 98 games on the blue line last season.
- Hadley Bakker commits to Merrimack:Â Bakker committed to Merrimack after two standout seasons at Maple Grove High in Minnesota. She had 27 points (nine goals) in 31 games in 2023-24 before posting 25 points (11 goals) in 28 games as a sophomore last season. She also skated at 16/17 Camp.
- Emma Lintner commits to Vermont:Â Lintner adds size and skill to UVM's pipeline. Standing 5-foot-11, the forward put up 18 goals and 44 points in 82 games for Stanstead College last season. She also has experience on the international stage with Team Austria.
