Matthews Memories

From Northeastern Women’s Ice Hockey Alumni

On December 13, 2025, the Husky university community said goodbye to the historic Matthews Arena. Here, women’s hockey players reflect on their experiences at the arena. They share how they will carry the memories with them and pass the puck to a new generation of female student-athletes.

Stepping on the Ice

The first time I stepped on the ice at Matthews, it was a dream. A long-awaited moment that felt like I was finally home. I had new gear on and was really looking forward to my time at NU.

–Lily Yovetich, S’24, MEd’24

I remember being in awe and just looking up into the rafters and seeing all the history in the banners of all the different sports that have called Matthews Arena home. The ice itself is bigger than most sheets, so that makes it unique, but the arena feels somewhat small due to the upper bowl being over the ice, making it a fun environment when the arena is full for a game. Also, the jumbotron is so large that it took a practice or two to get used to but quickly became one of my favorite parts of the arena.

–Katy Knoll, DMSB’24, MS’24

I just felt a wave of emotions the first time I stepped onto the ice at Matthews. I was making my dream come true of playing at the highest level, and Northeastern is one of the best programs.

–Chloe Aurard, AMD’22, MS’23

I was overwhelmed with excitement and a bit of nerves the first time I played at Matthews. Seeing the historic rink and knowing the legacy of those who played before me made it feel incredibly special. I felt proud to be part of that tradition.

–Maureen Murphy, Bouvé’22 

I remember looking to my dad the second I saw the rink, and I told him, “I want to be a Husky, and I want to play here.” Growing up, I always had watched Kendall Coyne [Northeastern alumna and Team USA gold medalist] play, and she is such an incredible player. When I became a Husky, I thought, “I’m playing on the same ice that one of my idols played on.”

–Skylar Irving, DMSB’25

The main entrance has a lot of character and has always been my favorite part of the arena. Getting a picture in front of it after graduation was always a staple for sure. Being from a different country and not very familiar with the history of the building before coming to Northeastern, I realized very quickly how special this rink was because everybody I talked to in North America knows about Matthews Arena and its history. 

–Alina Mueller, S’22, MS’23

An Arena with Character

I’ll forever cherish the “autograph wall.” I walked by it every single day on my way to practice, to lift weights, or during home games. That wall is covered with the names and markings of past players, both men’s and women’s teams, and countless students who’ve been a part of Matthews Arena’s story. Getting to staple my own “TAZE THOMPSON, WIH’25” on that wall before leaving Matthews was such a special moment. Knowing I have a small place in such big history is truly so humbling and gratifying.

–Taze Thompson, S’25

Just walking through the doors of the historic ice arena always brought me so much joy. There’s something cool about being able to say you played in the rink the Bruins and Celtics used to play home games at.

–Skylar Irving, DMSB’25

The Energy, the Crowd

In my sophomore year, during my first-ever Beanpot, we hosted our first game against BC, and the stands were packed. Every time some touched the puck, the arena erupted. It was electric. The energy was brought by our pep band.

–Lily Yovetich, S’24, MEd’24

A moment that will forever stand out to me was the last Beanpot semifinal game played in Matthews Arena. I truly think it was fate that we got to play that semifinal against BC on our home ice one last time. I don’t think I’d ever played in front of a home crowd like that before. The energy was euphoric. Absolutely electric. It was a moment that made me so proud to be a Husky—surrounded by the atmosphere and family that made that place so special. I can’t wait for future generations and young women to experience that same feeling in their new home because nothing can quite compare.

–Taze Thompson, S’25

Winning a Hockey East Championship at Matthews Arena in front of home fans is definitely a memory I will keep for the rest of my life. A packed DogHouse cheering us on for the whole game is very unique and found nowhere else in women’s NCAA hockey. Moments like these helped me believe that sold-out arenas can become a norm in women’s hockey, too.

–Alina Mueller, S’22, MS’23

When I reflect on my career at Northeastern, there were so many moments when I felt the energy at Matthews Arena. The one memory that stands out above all others is during my freshman year when our team won the first-ever Hockey East Championship in the program’s history. Not only was this an exhilarating victory for our team, it was also a proud moment for our entire university and the DogHouse. We felt their energy behind us throughout that tournament and so many other wins at home.

–Aerin Frankel, S’21, MS’22

In the 2022 Beanpot preliminary game at Matthews Arena, the energy was unforgettable. With 1,755 fans in attendance, the DogHouse was as packed as I’ve ever seen it for a women’s hockey game at Matthews Arena. The student crowd and pep band were stacked right above the goal. It always felt like they were cheering us on while breathing down the opponent’s necks. Their constant support was what made Matthews so special. And in that game, especially, they stayed with us, cheering until the bitter end.

–Gwyneth Philips, E’24

A special memory for me as a hockey alum would be when we hosted Wisconsin in the NCAA Quarterfinals after losing to them in the National Championship the previous year. It was a revenge game for us, and the crowd really came out and supported us to a massive win and another trip to the Frozen Four. My other fond memory of the Matthews Arena crowd is when we hosted the Beanpot, and we filled almost the entire arena. The DogHouse was completely full, and students were spread out throughout the crowd. Even though we lost in the opening round, it is still a game I remember today.

–Katy Knoll, DMSB’24, MS’24

One of my most memorable games at Matthews Arena was the 2022 Beanpot semi-final against Boston College because of the energy we felt from the crowd. It was one of the largest and loudest crowds I played in front of at Matthews between the packed DogHouse, the pep band, friends and family, and dedicated Huskies fans from the community. We felt so much love and support through all the chants and music, which made for a very special atmosphere to play in.

–Megan Carter, S’23

In my second-to-last year, we played Wisconsin in the NCAA tournament. The chants, cheers, and the pounding of the ice created an adrenaline rush. I remember feeling completely immersed in the game, wanting to win for our team and the university. There is a photo of us leaving that game and saluting the DogHouse, which will be forever cemented in my mind.

–Maureen Murphy, Bouvé’22

Pregame Rituals

We always played soccer before each game. And when I say “soccer,” I mean we would stand in two circles and try to keep a soccer ball up with our feet. It got very intense. There was a good and bad group.

–Lily Yovetich, S’24, MEd’24

Every year, we had a team motto that we would use before going on the ice. We often had a poster either in the locker room or in the tunnel leading out to the ice, which most of us would touch. And, of course, you can’t forget petting the Husky’s nose when going out onto the ice or entering Matthews from the main entrance!

–Maureen Murphy, Bouvé’22

I would go up to the DogHouse and sit there and visualize playing on the ice. From up there, I would just be in awe of how special the rink was to so many players and how much of an honor it was to call that rink home for my four years in college.

–Skylar Irving, DMSB’25

If you had one more visit to Matthews Arena…

I would love to stand in the middle of the ice and reflect on all the great people I have met through Matthews Arena. I would walk through the players’ tunnel—it’s where the energy builds up—and I would cherish the chance to relive that anticipation and excitement one last time.

–Maureen Murphy, Bouvé’22

Personally, center ice is a place I would want to go visit. You can see the whole arena from there. I have so many memories of lifting a trophy up in that exact spot. Although the Matthews Arena era is coming to an end, I know the spirit and history of the place I called home will never die. The legacy of Husky greatness, past, present, and future, will live on. I am certain of that. I’m always proud to be a Husky.

–Skylar Irving, DMSB’25

I would go into the locker room. I would grab a Honey Stinger [an energy treat] and sit and listen to music.

–Lily Yovetich, S’24, MEd’24

I would be sure to go through the arch and make my way up to the DogHouse. There is so much history and character in Matthews, and the best place to view all the banners is from the upper concourse, a place I will miss so much.

–Aerin Frankel, S’21, MS’22

I would take the walk from the Women’s Hockey locker room, through the tunnel, and onto the ice again. It’s a walk that I think everyone misses once we graduate.

–Katy Knoll, DMSB’24, MS’24

As a fan, I would often take in the men’s games from the top of the DogHouse when my dad was in town. It truly had the best view of the arena and game, and the best acoustics to hear the pep band play the song “Stacy’s Mom.”

–Megan Carter, S’23

I’d want to visit the locker room and sit where I used to sit. The locker room has always been a place where the team gets together to either get dressed, watch video, or sometimes even just hang out. I think it’s super special to feel comfortable in your locker room, and Northeastern made sure that we always had everything we needed.

–Chloe Aurard, AMD’22, MS’23