Two local hockey players head to collegiate championships

Marissa Danos and Kendl Santelli help lead team to title run

by GJ Santelli

The University of Colorado women’s hockey team will travel to Columbus, Ohio to skate for the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division 1 National Championship March 14-18.

Two alumni girls from the WEHA u19 women’s hockey program are on the roster.

Senior Marissa Danos from Gunnison and freshman Kendl Santelli from Crested Butte will be skating for a national title.

CU won the conference title last week in Omaha, Neb. with an impressive 5-2 victory over the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers, punching their ticket to the national championship.

CU fell to the Gophers in the first game of the tournament 2-1 but bounced back with a win over Colorado State University 7-2. CU then beat Lindenwood University 2-1 in a tight game on Saturday night to set up the championship rematch against Minnesota and eventual title win.

CU goalie Lexi Hartman was brilliant in goal as CU improved its season record to 23-8-1. With the win, CU will be ranked #6 in the nation. The top eight ranked teams will be in Ohio to skate for the title.

Joining CU will be Liberty (23-1), Adrian (24-2-1), Michigan State (17-4-1), Miami (21-6), Lindenwood Belleville (22-7-1), Massachusetts (16-9-1) and Minnesota (28-8-1). University of Miami Ohio is last year’s champion.

Danos is CU’s captain and has five goals and 11 assists for 16 points this season and plays forward. Santelli has one goal and two assists for three points this season and also plays forward.

CU has amassed 160 goals this season, ranking them second in the ACHA, only four goals behind Adrian.

CU is led in scoring by junior Leah MacArthur with 45 goals and 23 assists for 68 points, junior Maura Kieft with 23 goals and 35 assists for 58 points, and junior Kathleen Ash with 32 goals and 20 assists for 52 points. The ACHA Division 1 has 22 women’s teams in their association.