When Delaware announced it would field a Division I women’s hockey program for the 2025-26 season, nobody knew what the road to opening night would entail.

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The announcement came on Dec. 1, 2023, as the school became the 45th to offer a Division I women’s program. Hockey is one of 21 varsity sports at the school, which is located in Newark, Delaware, and has a total enrollment just over 24,000. 

However, the past 21 months have been filled with excitement, intrigue and anticipation – all of which have led up to Friday.

“Our kids are really excited, super grateful for this experience, and we can’t say enough about how excited we are to join (Atlantic Hockey America),” said head coach Allison Coomey. “Our athletic department has done a great job of getting us ready for this moment.”

Coomey’s program will hit the ice for the first time Friday night as the Blue Hens play their inaugural game against LIU at Fred Rust Ice Arena. The game is set for a 6 p.m. faceoff and will be streamed right here on Flo.

While it’s the school’s first varsity game, hockey is far from a foreign sport on campus. Delaware has fielded a successful women’s club program since 2003 and the school will continue to offer its club programs going forward, both for men and women.

Yet a Division I program isn’t built overnight.

“Imagine having a year and a half to put a team together and then get on the ice with everyone for the first time. No one knows each other and everybody is trying to figure each other out, but it’s been really exciting to see how far we’ve come,” said Coomey, who was hired on March 26, 2024.

First game tomorrow ‼️

🎟️: https://t.co/85uqJa1yXT pic.twitter.com/f2kWEUucou

— Delaware Blue Hens (@UDBlueHens) September 25, 2025

Delaware’s roster features 22 players, 17 of which are freshmen. The program added four transfers and also elevated goaltender Sydney Butler from the club team. Coomey said she’s already seeing her group mesh together well – something that started with Zoom calls over the summer. They’ll play their first 10 games on home ice too, including their first AHA series against Penn State on Oct. 10-11.

Getting the program off the ground certainly featured some challenges and everybody’s had to pull on the same rope. However, there’s been plenty of support, whether that’s come from the community, donors, or even a partnership with the Philadelphia Flyers. And there’s a palpable buzz around campus for Friday’s opener.

When the puck drops against LIU, what was once a vision will become a reality for the first-year program. Those in Newark hope it’s just the start of a successful run at the Division I level.

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