St. Scholastica squad joins women's hockey league

The Northern Collegiate Hockey Association this morning announced that it has accepted the application of Duluth's College of St. Scholastica to play in the league's women's hockey program.

The Saints will play in the fast-growing Division III conference starting in the 2010-11 season.

"Women's hockey is a natural fit for the college, based on our geographic location, the strength of regional high school programs, the visibility of our men's hockey program and the success of the college's women's ACHA, Division II team," St. Scholastica athletic director Don Olson said in a news release. "The addition of a women's hockey program to the school's roster of intercollegiate athletics programs allows us to create an increased balance between men's and women's programs.

"We are excited to be part of the rapid growth of women's hockey in the NCHA. It is a logical decision for the College of St. Scholastica to join the league with our women's hockey program given our long history of Saints men's hockey in the conference."

The Saints join fellow conference newcomers Marian University, Adrian College and St, Norbert's, along with conference veterans Wisconsin-Superior, Concordia-Wisconsin, Lake Forest, Wisconsin-River Falls, Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Finlandia and Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

"We are most happy to welcome the College of St Scholastica to our women's division as we continue the growth of women's hockey in our conference," NCHA commissioner Bill Kronschnabel said in a news release.