USNA Women's Club Hockey Takes on USA Warriors

When you look at the Naval Academy Women’s Club Ice Hockey team’s busy 30-game schedule, you would think that they would have little time to themselves let alone adding extra scrimmages to their already packed schedules.

However, when the women found out they were slated to scrimmage the USA Warriors Standing Ice Hockey Team, all sticks were on ice ready to take on an incredible group of wounded veterans.

The USA Warriors are comprised of wounded military veterans who are eager to get back on the ice and play against hockey teams from around the country. On Sept. 26, the Women’s Club Ice Hockey team had the privilege and honor to host the USA Warriors in a pre-season scrimmage.

With fans filling the seats, the USA Warriors looking sharp in their American flag-inspired jerseys, and the women’s club team proudly skating a “Don’t Give up the Ship” flag, a great sense of pride, country, and camaraderie was filling the air.

As soon as the puck dropped, it was not your average hockey game. With the USA Warriors telling short stories of their military careers as they skated by the women’s bench, to the women’s club team joking around on the ice with the veterans, it created a fun and light-hearted atmosphere amongst two military hockey teams.

“Having the opportunity to compete with the next generation of Naval leadership was fantastic," said USA Warriors captain Michael Davis in a post on Facebook. "The women's team was fast, tenacious and played sound fundamental hockey.”

The women’s team could not have been more honored to scrimmage with men that have proudly served our country and continue to inspire through their hockey endeavors. Even though the Women’s Club Ice Hockey team lost to the USA Warriors, 6 to 5, it was not the score that mattered but the camaraderie and opportunity to play alongside such inspirational wounded warriors.