After a Cinderella postseason run that saw them knock off the OUA's No. 1 team and come within a game of a berth at the U SPORTS championships last season, the York University Lions women's hockey team is looking to use that as a building block for success in 2024-25. 

"We had a great run," said head coach Dan Church on the incredible finish to the 2023-24 campaign. "I think the players did a great job of learning throughout the year, and we peeked at the right time and performed at our best when our best was needed. So, that was really rewarding and exciting as a coach." 

That said, the Lions won't be exactly the same team this year after losing six players to graduation. 

"We're a different team," Church said. "We've got some good foundation from last year, but it's always a new adventure. The key for us is to learn as much as we can throughout the year to put us in a position to be in the playoff picture and then go on a run like we did last year. 

"I think we learned a lot about the detail you need in critical moments, and hopefully we're able to apply that." 

With the Ottawa Gee-Gees and Carleton Ravens joining the OUA from the RSEQ, the Lions slide over to the OUA West division this season. Church says it will be a dogfight to make the postseason in an evenly-matched division. 

"I think we're at the same point as a lot of the teams in our division," he said. "I think whether we were in the East or the West, it's going to be really competitive, and I think it's going to be crucial to get off to a good start and trying to capitalize on that down the stretch." 

One of the key Lions back for her final season is Ava Ricker Singh, who enters year two as the York captain. 

"It's nice to have consistency in leadership," Church said. "She's a fantastic leader and an amazing player. She brings a lot of poise and we'll really need her speed and skill this year." 

Jill Milligan enters her third season with the Lions on the blueline and will be asked to take a leadership role for her team this season. 

"She's much like (Ricker-Singh)," Church said of Milligan, an assistant captain. "We need her compete level and her skill, and she does a lot of things that help us be successful." 

Up front, the likes of Kaitlin Teixeira and Trynity Turner enter their second season, while Alexa Giantsopoulos is poised to take her game to the next level in her third season in red and white. 

"She just keeps getting better and better," Church said of Giantsopoulos. "She's a key piece of our success. A power forward that has not just great size but great skill." 

In goal, York returns its tandem from last season in Emma Wedgewood and Domonqiue Chuaqui. Church called her "the biggest reason" York upset Nipissing in Round 1 last season. 

"It's easy to forget that she was only in second year last year," Church said. "There's still a level of development, especially for goaltenders. She gets better, every year, every game. In the post season last year, she was really lights out and dialed in, and I think the key for her this year is to find that consistency from game to game in the regular season." 

The Lions have a number of solid returning veterans who, while their stats may not jump off the table, are key role players in a lineup with playoff aspirations. 

"Lexy Anonech is an elite penalty killer and does a great job for us up the middle," Church said. "I think Lola Massey is going to have a really big year this year, stepping into more of an offensive role. 

"Sydney Hiltz is going to have the best year of her career – I think she's ready for that," he added. "And, Natalie Mamone has had a great preseason, so things look good for us in terms of our depth." 

As for the new crop of recruits for 2024-25, the Lions bring eight new players into the fold, including a few Church thinks will make an immediate impact. 

"On the back end, Mikayla Totten has a lot of poise and scored a lot of points last year, so she's someone I expect to make an impact for us. 

"Up front, Natahsa Lange is a great power forward and she's had a fantastic preseason. She plays strong up the middle of the ice and brings a physicality and a skill level that are good fits with where we're at right now." 

The Lions also dove back into a recruiting hotbed for them in Manitoba, bringing in Isabella Huculak and Ginger Fast. Church describes Huculak as "a really good depth player who can play up and down the lineup," while saying of Fast, "I think (she) has a lot of potential to be a scoring winger in our league." 

"I think for them, it's about getting comfortable in the OUA and seeing what they can do over the first half of the season." 

While winning and losing are obviously the top priortiy, Church is focussed – as he is every season – on developing what he calls, 'Great York Lions.' 

"A G.Y.L. is a leader, they're a committed student, they're engaged in their community, both on campus and off, they graduate with the degree of their choice, and they go on to make an impact in their home community once it's over," he said. "Every season, it's about developing great human beings, and every year it's my top priority to maximize their human potential through the vehicle of hockey. 

"If we do a good job of that, the wins take care of themselves." 

The Lions will look to take care of their first win of the 2024-25 season when they open up against the TMU Bold on Wednesday morning at 11:15 am from the Mattamy Athletic Centre.