GORHAM, Maine – Senior Shannon Murphy (Pembroke, Mass./Brewster Academy) and junior Makenzie Woodford (Cornwall, Prince Edward Island/Mount Academy) will serve as team captains for the University of Southern Maine Huskies women's ice hockey team for the 2026-27 season. Woodford was also a captain last season as a sophomore.
 
Woodford, a forward, recorded a goal and two assists while playing in 19 games last season. In her career, Woodford has logged a goal and eight assists in 42 games. After recording six assists as a freshman, she scored her first career goal in a 4-1 win over New England College last season. A Health Sciences major, Woodford was a Krampade/American Hockey Coaches Association All-American Scholar in 2024-25, and was named to the Little East Conference Winter 2025-2026 All-Academic Team. She is also a William B. Wise Scholar-Athlete.
 
Murphy, also a forward, has been a reliable contributor for the Huskies, playing in every game over the past three seasons. She has recorded six goals and 11 assists over those 81 games. Last season saw her score two goals and dish out four assists. The senior has shown great discipline with just two penalties in her career, both of which came in her freshman season. Murphy is majoring in Media Studies, is a William B. Wise Scholar-Athlete, and was named to the New England Hockey Conference All-Academic Team in 2024-25.
 
The Huskies open the 2026-27 season with a home game on Friday, October 30 against the University of New England at 4:00 pm in the USM Ice Arena.