July 28, 2023 - The Women’s Delaware Valley College Hockey Conference (DVCHC), a leading home for organized women’s college club ice hockey in the Mid-Atlantic, welcomes Sara Barshap as Assistant Commissioner. Barshap is a 2023 graduate of Villanova University and former team president of the Villanova women’s club ice hockey team. She will work closely with DVCHC Commissioner Taylor Hadley, contributing to initiatives to support growing the DVCHC’s overall brand and promoting member teams. Additionally, Barshap will continue to serve as Assistant Coach and Media Director for the Villanova team.

Hadley has led the Women’s DVCHC since 2016 and is responsible for all conference operations. Over the last seven years, the DVCHC has become a premier option for women’s college hockey teams seeking opportunities to be part of a league designed for and with their specific needs in mind. The DVCHC’s ability to adapt and remain flexible season over season is a key factor in the conference’s national reputation. 

In 2023, four DVCHC member teams appeared at the American Collegiate Hockey Association’s (ACHA) Women’s Division II National Championships: Rowan University, United States Naval Academy, University of Delaware, and Villanova University. Heading into the 2023-24 season, the DVCHC expects to again have multiple member teams qualify for the ACHA’s 2024 National Championships, to be held in St. Louis, Mo.

The DVCHC’s league structure currently includes Division II (D2) and Division III (D3). All D2 teams are also members of the ACHA and represent a higher tier of competition among DVCHC member teams. While still competitive hockey, D3 teams represent programs either in more of a growth or rebuilding stage, or with less overall appetite for national competition. Select DVCHC D3 teams also maintain ACHA memberships, increasing their visibility in the women’s college hockey landscape and expanding opportunities for a broader range of opponents and potential national recognition. 

While it’s challenging to predict how a team will fare each year, after every season, all teams' strengths are re-evaluated to ensure they are grouped into the appropriate division to provide the best possible experience across the DVCHC.

Women’s DVCHC Member Teams for the 2023-24 season

Division II

• Rowan University

• Villanova University

• University of Maryland

• Liberty University

• U.S. Naval Academy

• University of Delaware

Division III

• University of Pennsylvania

• Loyola University Maryland

• Indiana University of Pennsylvania

• Slippery Rock University

• Montclair State University

• West Chester University 

• Lafayette College (as an affiliate member for 2023-24)

“I am thrilled to officially expand the Women’s DVCHC leadership team with the addition of Sara Barshap. Her deeply personal understanding of women’s club ice hockey culture, combined with her enthusiasm and creative ideas for the league, positions Sara as a valuable asset to every team participating in the DVCHC,” said Hadley, who has also served as Commissioner of Women’s D2 for the ACHA since 2017. 

“Filling the role of Assistant Commissioner has been a long time coming, and the search for a great fit was easily concluded with Sara. Having worked with Sara during her time as a student leader at Villanova, I am confident she will make a lasting impact on the DVCHC and help take the organization to new levels. As women’s hockey continues to grow across the U.S., our goals at the DVCHC continue to grow as well. I look forward to kicking off what I am certain will be our most exciting season yet,” added Hadley.

Barshap, notably the 2023 winner of the annual ACHA Women’s D2 Off Ice MVP award, shares, “I am incredibly honored and grateful to Taylor for the opportunity to get involved in women’s hockey at such a high level shortly after graduating. My experience with club hockey was so influential on my overall college experience, and something I carry from my time at Villanova was our goal to foster an environment where young women can succeed and pave the way for others to do the same. As someone passionate about furthering women’s ice hockey, I look forward to sharing my commitment, ideas and initiatives to help grow the Women’s DVCHC.”

“One of my biggest goals for this upcoming season is to further develop the DVCHC social media presence so we can network, showcase, and connect with players, teams, leagues, and beyond. The Women’s DVCHC is a highly competitive league with roots in philanthropy and academic excellence, and as Taylor and I work to build out the program this year, we will keep those motivations, as well as the players' best interests, at heart.”

Save the Dates

• East Coast Showdown & High School Showcase 2023: Nov. 17-19 at IceWorks in Aston, Pa.

• Women’s DVCHC Playoffs 2024: Feb. 23-25, 2024, at Centre Ice in Harrington, DE

About the Women’s DVCHC

The Women’s Division of the Delaware Valley College Hockey Conference (DVCHC), a nonprofit, serves as a home for organized women’s college club ice hockey in the Mid-Atlantic. Since 2002, our mission has been to provide opportunities for women to continue (or start) playing hockey in college at a highly competitive level while achieving academic excellence and building foundations for their future. We are a connector for individual teams representing colleges and universities, offering structure and recognition. Each season, the DVCHC hosts a playoff tournament resulting in divisional championship titles, organizes events to help teams recruit future players, engages in charitable giving, and much more. Learn more about the Women’s DVCHC at womens.dvchchockey.org. 

Contact

Taylor Hadley

Commissioner, Women’s DVCHC

dvchcwhockey@gmail.com