Morrisville hosts the Mustang Cup: Featuring SUNY Morrisville, Adrian, Amherst, & Trinity. (Photo by Todd Slabaugh)
Mustang Cup: January 2-3, 2026
Hosted by SUNY Morrisville – SUNY Morrisville IcePlex
Saturday:
#9 Adrian (10-3-0) vs Trinity (2-5-0) – 2 pm ET
#4 Amherst (5-0-2) @ Morrisville (1-9-0) – 6 pm ET
Sunday:
Consolation – 12 pm ET
Championship – 3 pm ET
For the women’s side of things, the new year begins with another tournament as SUNY Morrisville hosts their Mustang Cup at the SUNY Morrisville IcePlex. The field features four programs, with Trinity College traveling from Hartford with a 2-5-0 record to take on #9 Adrian at 2 pm on Friday. Later that evening, #4 Amherst, holding a 5-0-2 record, faces the host Mustangs at 6 pm. The winners of Friday’s games advance to the championship on Saturday at 3 pm, while the remaining teams will compete in the consolation game earlier in the day at 12 pm.
SUNY Morrisville enters the weekend with one win through 10 games, their lone victory coming in the Central New York Make-A-Wish game against SUNY Potsdam by a 3-0 score. Offensive production has been the main challenge for the Mustangs, as they have scored a season-high three goals only once, which came in that win. Their opponent, Amherst, has yet to drop a game this season and have arguably the best goaltender in division III women’s hockey on their roster, Natalie Stott. While the Mammoths have played a limited schedule, they have been efficient, earning shootout victories against Connecticut College and Williams College in their two ties. Defensively, Amherst has been strong, recording three shutouts and not allowing more than one goal in any game this season. This matchup marks the first-ever meeting between Amherst and Morrisville, making the contest unfamiliar territory for both programs.
In the earlier matchup, Adrian and Trinity meet for just the second time, with Adrian winning the lone previous meeting 3-1 last season in another neutral setting: Tampa, Florida. Adrian enters with a 10-3-0 record after navigating a demanding schedule that included two losses to #2 Augsburg and a split with Gustavus Adolphus College before the winter break. At home, the Bulldogs remain undefeated, with all of their losses coming away from their rink and to ranked opponents. Trinity has struggled to find consistency, often following wins with losses, but they did close the first half with a 4-0 victory over the inaugural program St. John Fisher University and will look to carry that momentum into the new year.
In a tournament featuring two top-ten teams, talent is spread across every position group. Amherst is anchored of course by goaltender Natalie Stott, who’s been outstanding with three shutouts and only four goals allowed in seven games. She enters the weekend with a .56 goals-against average and a .971 save percentage, ranking first nationally in both categories. Morrisville counters with strong play in net from Sydney Canham, who has recorded one shutout through six starts, along with a 2.69 GAA and a .927 save percentage. In the Adrian-Trinity matchup, sophomore Emma Simon has driven the Bulldogs’ offense with four goals and 13 assists in 12 games, leading the division in assists. The Bulldogs are anchored by sophomore goaltender Kiera Stack who has put up great numbers recently outside of their New Year’s Eve game against Trine. Stack made 32 saves in the shutout win over #8 Gustavus & 41 saves in the 3-1 (incl. empty net) loss to Gustavus the night prior. Trinity relies heavily on goaltender Madeline Carter, who carries a 2.25 GAA and a team-high .910 save percentage through four starts and has allowed just one power-play goal.
With the new year underway and tournament season continuing, the Mustang Cup provides an intriguing early-January test. Morrisville looks to defend home ice and build some momentum after their slow first half start, while Trinity aims to carry confidence out of the break. On the opposite side of the bracket, Adrian and Amherst headline the field as potential championship contenders, with the possibility of a first-ever meeting between the two if both advance. With unfamiliar opponents and strong goaltending across the board, the Mustang Cup offers plenty to watch as teams open the second half of the season. Championship puck drop is scheduled for 3 pm ET on Saturday at the SUNY Morrisville IcePlex.
