Women’s hockey set for playoff showdown against Aurora

Claire Aimone ’26
@aimonecal@lakeforest.edu
Staff Writer
The Lake Forest College women’s hockey team is gearing up for a crucial first-round playoff matchup against Aurora University this Friday. After a competitive regular season, they secured a playoff spot to host at home after beating Milwaukee School of Engineer 7-0.
The Foresters are prepared to make a deep postseason run, starting with a strong performance on home ice. To advance, they must secure back-to-back wins with games scheduled for Feb. 22 and Feb 23 at 5 pm at home.
The Foresters have put together an impressive season, showing resilience and consistency on both ends of the ice. A key contributor to their success has been senior goalie Donna Fowler, who has been a force in net. Fowler delivered a standout performance on her senior night, recording a shutout and solidifying her role as a leader on the team.
Her experience and poise under pressure will be crucial as the Foresters look to shut down Aurora’s offense. I had the chance to ask Donna Fowler, a senior captain on the team “I am excited to play, and that energy is contagious. We’re all ready to hit the ice and give it our all.” said Donna Fowler 25’ when talking about their upcoming game against Aurora.
Lake Forest will aim to set the tone early, relying on their disciplined defense and offensive firepower to take control of the series. The Foresters have had ties with Aurora in the past, but the playoffs bring a new level of intensity where every shift matters. With a strong team chemistry and a commitment to their system, the Foresters are prepared to execute their game plan and capitalize on key opportunities. Maintaining composure under pressure and sticking to their fundamentals will be crucial as they look to dictate the pace and take the first step toward a deep playoff run.
With the Foresters having home-ice advantage, the team is counting on strong fan support to help fuel their playoff push. Students, faculty, and Forester fans are encouraged to pack the stands and bring the energy as Lake Forest battles for a spot in the next round.