The Friars navigated a highly competitive and battle-tested 2025–26 campaign, anchoring their identity in relentless grit. The Friars were led by a veteran core featuring senior captains Reichen Kirchmair and Cristina Cavaliere alongside graduate goaltender Hope Walinski, who turned in a historic, record-breaking season by setting a program high of 959 single-season saves. Though the team faced its fair share of hurdles, Providence repeatedly proved it could go toe-to-toe with the nation's best, defining their season through high-stakes victories.
Early on, the Friars showcased a defensive blueprint capable of stifling top-tier offenses, securing a thrilling 2–1 non-conference win over #9 Clarkson on Project Providence day in front of 700 cheering local elementary and middle school students. They carried that competitive spark out west just a week later, outlasting #13 St. Thomas in a dramatic 7–6 overtime thriller in Minnesota. Turning their attention back to Hockey East play, Providence kept the clutch energy alive with a gritty 3–2 overtime victory against Maine, followed by a dominant 5–1 onslaught against New Hampshire just a week later. The Friars then capped off a stellar first half of the season by capturing the 30th Mayor's Cup, edging out cross-town rival #11 Brown University in a 3–2 overtime battle, before later securing a 3–2 late-season surge over #14 Holy Cross.
While the season ultimately concluded in the opening round of the Hockey East Tournament against Boston University, the 2025–26 Friars left an undeniable legacy, proving to be a locker room that never backed down from a fight.
FRIARS VS. #9 CLARKSON
FRIARS VS. MAINE
FRIARS VS. UNH
FRIARS VS. MERRIMACK
REICHEN KIRCHMAIR '26
Senior forward, Reichen Kirchmair continued to cement her place among the program’s all-time greats during the 2025-26 season. Reichen Kirchmair led the Friars in scoring for the second consecutive season. The reigning Hockey East Player of the Year recorded 14 goals and 11 assists for 25 points. Kirchmair registered a team-high five power-play goals and three game-winning goals. In the final game of the season, Kirchmair scored a goal for her 100th career point (55 goals, 45 assists) to become the 29th player in program history to reach the 100-point club. Over her four-year career, Kirchmair appeared in 142 games and totaled 100 career points on 55 goals and 45 assists. She finished with 404 shots, 11 power-play goals, 13 game-winning goals, consistently proving herself as one of the Friars’ most dangerous offensive threats. Her breakout 2024-25 campaign saw her post career highs with 19 goals and 37 points, while she closed out her collegiate career as one of the most accomplished players in recent program history.
AWARDS
- 2024-25 Hockey East Player of the Year
- 2024-25 Hockey East Scoring Champion (30 Pts in league play)
- Hockey East First Team All-Star (2024-25)
- Named New England Hockey Writers Association MVP and All-Star (2024-25)
- Female Athlete of the Year for Team Sport at the Providence College All-Sports Gala (2024-25)
- Named to the Hockey East Pro Ambitions All-Rookie Team (2022-23)
CRISTINA CAVALIERE '26
Senior defenseman Cristina Cavaliere capped off an outstanding collegiate career as one of the Friars’ most dependable two-way players. Appearing in 120 career games, Cavaliere totaled five goals and 41 assists for 46 career points while serving as a steady presence on the blue line. During the 2025-26 season, Cavaliere finished with 21 points, tying for third on the team in scoring. Cavaliere led the Friars with 72 blocked shots while also contributing offensively with 43 shots and one power-play goal. She earned Army ROTC Defender of the Month honors in January after recording seven assists and 24 blocked shots across nine games during the month. Known for her consistency and leadership, Cavaliere posted a team-high six-game point streak and recorded four multi-point games throughout the season, solidifying herself as one of the conference’s top defensive players.
AUDREY KNAPP '27
Junior forward Audrey Knapp continued her offensive playmaking abilites in the 2025-26 season. The reining Hockey East First Team All-Star finished the season with seven goals and 16 assists for 23 points, ranking among the team leaders in scoring. She recorded a team-high six multi-point games, including one three-point performance, and showcased consistency throughout the year with two separate three-game point streaks. Knapp also made an impact in special teams and clutch situations, tallying two power-play goals and two game-winning goals. In addition to her offensive production, she totaled 117 shots and 13 blocked shots, highlighting her all-around effort and versatility on both ends of the ice.
AWARDS
- Hockey East First Team All-Star (2024-25)
- New England Hockey Writers All-Star (2024-25)
- Named to the Hockey East Pro Ambitions All-Rookie Team (2023-24)
SARAH DAVIES '26
Over her final two seasons with the Friars, senior centerman Sarah Davies established herself as a reliable two-way forward and key veteran leader. Davies appeared in 68 games across the 2024-25 and 2025-26 campaigns, totaling 12 goals and 11 assists for 23 points while consistently contributing in clutch moments. In 2025-26, Davies played in all 35 games and recorded six goals and six assists for 12 points, tying for fifth on the team in scoring. She added 87 shots, 17 blocked shots, one game-winning goal, and a three-game point streak. The previous season, she skated in 33 games and tallied six goals and five assists for 11 points, highlighted by three game-winning goals, 74 shots, and 10 blocked shots. Across the two-year stretch, Davies combined for 161 shots, 27 blocked shots, and four game-winning goals.
EMMA HOFBAUER '28
Forward, Emma Hofbauer showcased resilience and determination throughout her sophomore campaign. As a freshman, Hofbauer appeared in six games and recorded four points before suffering a season-ending injury. She returned in 2025-26 to appear in all 35 games for the Friars, proving to be an important offensive contributor throughout the season. Hofbauer finished the year with six goals and eight assists for 14 points while totaling 72 shots and two game-winning goals. Her ability to battle back from injury and make an immediate impact highlighted both her work ethic and offensive potential, making her one of the Friars’ emerging young forwards.
KIARA KRAFT '27
Junior forward Kiara Kraft has established herself as a durable and dependable offensive presence for the Providence College Friars, hitting a major milestone by crossing the century mark with 101 career games played. Over her three collegiate seasons, she has amassed 32 career points on 14 goals and 18 assists, which includes a career-high 14-point campaign during her sophomore year. As an everyday player this past season, Kraft appeared in all 35 contests, registering 12 points (5 goals, 7 assists) and bringing consistent offensive pressure with 73 shots on goal as she prepares to head into her senior year as a battle-tested leader.
HOPE WALINSKI '26
Graduate student, team captain, and Lincoln, Rhode Island native Hope Walinski cemented her place in Providence College program history with a historic 2025–26 season. As a workhorse in net, Walinski started all 35 games for the Friars, tying the record for the most games played in a single season by a Providence goaltender. Over the course of the year, she posted an 11-22-2 record, a 2.74 goals-against average, and a .912 save percentage. Facing immense pressure, she turned away a staggering 959 shots, breaking the program record for the most saves in a single season. Her standout play earned her weekly accolades, including Army ROTC Defender of the Week (Feb. 2) and Stop It Goaltending Goaltender of the Week (Feb. 16).
Walinski's record-breaking campaign was the capstone of an incredibly durable career. She became one of just five goaltenders in Providence history to reach 100 games played and finished her career sitting fourth all-time in program history with 107 games. Across four active seasons in net, Walinski accumulated an overall career save percentage of .918 alongside a 2.21 goals-against average.
AWARDS
- Named to the "Watch List" for the National Goalie of the Year Award (2024-25)
- Hockey East Third Team All-Star (2024-25)