Three All-Americans and records across several winter programs made 2022–23 a year to remember.
Records set by Men’s Ice Hockey included most wins (23), longest winning streak (19), and highest national ranking (8). Plymouth State won its sixth consecutive regular season MASCAC title, becoming the first team to go unbeaten in league play since the conference readopted the sport for the 2008–09 season, outscoring its foes by 97-37 to finish 18-0-0 in conference play before claiming a fourth-straight tournament title.
The NCAA Tournament selection committee subsequently granted the #8 Panthers a first-round home game against #10 University of New England. Although the visiting Nor’easters skated away with a 2-0 win, the game was tied 0-0 through nearly 50 minutes before UNE got the puck past goaltender Brendahn Brawley ’23. UNE added an empty net goal in the final minute.
“I wanted so much more for this team,” said Head Coach Craig Russell ’03, ’19G. “They deserved a lot more, but I can’t express how proud I am as they continue to improve our culture every day.”
Brawley, an All-MASCAC First Team selection, established new school records for goalie wins (22) and shutouts (5) in a season. Two-time MASCAC Player of the Year Myles Abbate ’23 was named a finalist for the Sid Watson Award (the Division II-III Player of the Year) and became the first Panther to win the Joe Concannon Award, given to the best American-born DII-III hockey player in New England by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston. He earned All-America honors for the second straight year, this time as a First Team selection. Abbate also joined the elite 100-point club and finished the year tied for fifth among PSU’s all-time scoring leaders.
“I’m so thankful for our team and the way we played all year,” said Brawley. “This year was just something else and I’m grateful to have been part of the last four years.”
Russell was named MASCAC Coach of the Year for the fifth time, was selected as a finalist for the Edward Jeremiah Award (presented to the D-II/III National Coach of the Year), claimed his 200th career win in November, and became the program’s all-time wins leader eight weeks later.
Plymouth State Skiing also had a season for the ages. The women’s program earned its first EISA Carnival win with a full slate of teams in program history after capturing the team title at the Harvard giant slalom. Hanna Larsson Nathhorst ’26 won the race to lead the Panthers to the team win. This was the first of her three straight carnival wins. She was EISA Rookie of the Year, earned First Team All-East Region recognition, and a spot at the National Collegiate Ski Championships.
“Going to carnivals and racing as a team was a big difference for me,” said Larsson Hathhorst. “It motivated me, made me relax a little, and allowed me to ski the best that I could. Nationals was different with only 34 competitors but with all the cameras and people it made it really special.”
Tindra Bergstrand ’26 opened her collegiate career with three straight top-five giant slalom (GS) finishes. The duo impressed against the best at NCAAs, with Larsson Nathhorst finishing eleventh in both the slalom and GS, narrowly missing All-American honors by 0.17 seconds and 0.11 seconds. Bergstrand finished an impressive 16th and 22nd in the two events.
“I was very nervous but it was very cool being there,” said Bergstrand. “I felt like a World Cup skier. I’m really glad to have had that experience.”
Max Haussmann ’25 represented the men’s team at NCAAs, becoming the second All-American in program history after finishing seventh in the slalom. He was the team’s top racer all winter, posting the top individual finish with the team in 11 of 14 races, including eight top-10 finishes. He was honored with Second Team All-East Region recognition after finishing sixth in the GS at the East Regional Championships.
“I relish the role of an underdog,” said Head Coach Trevor Hamilton. “We turned a lot of heads because we don’t have the resources or budget compared to some we’re competing against. Just getting to NCAAs is difficult, but we focused on process, and Max was fourth in the second run of the slalom against the best skiers in the country.”
Jacob Rigoli ’23 of the Men’s Indoor Track & Field Team claimed his second All-America honor in the weight throw at the NCAA Championships in March. He established a program record in his first competition of the year with a toss of 19.28 meters and dominated the event for the duration of the season. Rigoli captured his third straight LEC title, defended his gold medal at the NCAA New England Regional Championship, and finished fifth at NCAAs with a heave of 19.00 meters.
“Jacob cemented himself as the best thrower in PSU track & field history,” said Head Coach John Ostler. “His entire career is what you get when you marry athletic talent, an uncommon will to prepare, and the confidence to relax and perform on the biggest stages.”
