BOSTON - Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) announced its first four Players of the Week for the 2025-26 women's campaign on Tuesday.
Three institutions were represented, and each player honored was involved in a sweep of their opponent last week.
Forward: Jessica MacKinnon, SO, Robert Morris (Clark Harbour, Nova Scotia)
Defenseman: Makayla Javier, SR, Mercyhurst (Abingdon, Md.)
Goaltender: Katie DeSa, SR, Penn State (Pawcatuck, Conn.)
Rookie: Linnea Misner (D), FR, Robert Morris (Springfield, Manitoba)
MacKinnon made her presence known in her first series with Robert Morris.
The Clark Harbour, Nova Scotia native tallied a career high three points (1G-2A) in the Colonials' season opening 6-2 win over Assumption on Friday, Sept. 26. The Clarkson transfer did not waste any time and recorded her second career multi point game in consecutive days, tallying two assists to help sweep the Greyhounds in Robert Morris's 4-2 win on Saturday, Sept. 27.
MacKinnon is one of six skaters in the nation to have five or more points through two games played, and is tied for the fourth-most assists in Division I. In AHA, MacKinnon led the league in points and assists last week and is tied for the most points and assists overall this season.
Javier played a crucial role in Mercyhurst's sweep at New Hampshire last week. The senior led all AHA blueliners with four points (1G-3A), netted the game winner in the Lakers' 3-2 victory on Thursday, Sept. 25 and recorded three assists in the series finale 4-0 shutout triumph on Friday, Sept. 26.
The Abington, Md. native leads AHA defensemen with five points (1G-4A) this season and is tied for the most assists in the conference. Javier is also tied for the top spot nationally in points by a defenseman.
This is the fourth time that Javier has been recognized as CHA/AHA's Defenseman of the Week.
The reigning AHA Goaltender of the Year was strong to start the season in a top 10 matchup against an NCAA Regional in then-No. 9/9 St. Lawrence, where then-No. 8/8 Penn State swept the visitors at Pegula Ice Arena.
On Thursday, Sept. 25, the Pawcatuck, Conn. native stopped all 15 shots on net to lead a 3-0 win and record her 14th career shutout to start the season.
In the second game, DeSa made 21 saves and allowed her only two goals of the series in the final frame on Friday, Sept. 26. DeSa is second in the conference in goals against average (1.00) and third in save percentage (.947).
DeSa has been named CHA/AHA Goaltender of the Week 10 times.
Misner began her first collegiate season making an immediate impact by tallying three points (1G-2A) in Robert Morris's 6-2 win over Assumption on Friday, Sept. 26. This figure tied for a program record for the most in a collegiate debut.
The Springfield, Manitoba native added a helper in a 4-2 win on Saturday, Sept. 27, to help the Colonials earn a sweep to open the 2025-26 campaign. Among freshmen defensemen, Misner's four points (1G-3A) this season are the most through two games, and the second most overall.
Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) embarks on its second season in 2025-26 following the merger between the Atlantic Hockey Association and College Hockey America. The conference fields 10 Division I men's teams and seven women's teams. For more information, visit atlantichockeyamerica.com.
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