Regular Season 11-1-4 | Championship Runner-Up | Coach of the Year Kyle Sennott
Season Overview
The 2025–2026 season will go down as one of the most memorable in the history of University of Virginia Hockey. Competing in ACHA Division 2, the Cavaliers posted a dominant 9-1-3 regular season record before embarking on a historic playoff run that carried them all the way to the championship game.
Under the leadership of Head Coach Kyle Sennott—named ACCHL Coach of the Year—this team transformed into one of the most competitive programs in the conference. The Cavaliers outscored opponents by a wide margin, recording dominant victories over UNC Charlotte (8-0), Georgia Tech (8-1), George Washington (11-6), and George Mason (8-2), while also earning hard-fought wins on the road at Duke (5-3), William & Mary (7-3), and Richmond (5-4 in a shootout). The team’s success was further highlighted by standout individual performances, including #77 Joshua Stoner (Engr class of ’26) being named ACCHL Defenseman of the Year.
The only blemishes on the regular season record were a shutout loss to Maryland early in the year and two overtime/shootout losses to a strong JMU squad in October. The team’s resilience was on full display in close games, including a shootout victory over Georgetown (3-2) and another over Richmond (5-4) in January.
2025-2026 Season Results
| Date | Opponent | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep. 5 | Georgetown | SkateNation Plus | W 2-0 |
| Sep. 12 | Richmond | SkateNation Plus | W 5-3 |
| Sep. 20 | George Washington | St. James | W 11-6 |
| Sep. 21 | Maryland | Laurel Ice Gardens | L 0-4 |
| Sep. 27 | George Washington | SkateNation Plus | W 4-1 |
| Oct. 3 | JMU | Haymarket | OTL 2-3 |
| Oct. 4 | JMU | SkateNation Plus | SOL 2-3 |
| Oct. 18 | Duke | Durham Iceplex | W 5-3 |
| Nov. 14 | George Mason | Prince William | W 8-2 |
| Nov. 15 | UNC Charlotte | St. James | SOL 1-0 |
| Nov. 16 | Georgetown | St. James | W 3-2 |
| Nov. 22 | William & Mary | Chilled Ponds | W 7-3 |
| Jan. 30 | Richmond | Richmond Ice Zone | W 5-4 (SO) |
| Feb. 13 | UNC Charlotte | W. Salem Fairgrounds | W 8-0 |
| Feb. 14 | Georgia Tech | W. Salem Fairgrounds | W 8-1 |
| Feb. 15 | St. Joe's | W. Salem Fairgrounds | OTL 3-4 |
Overall Record: 11-4-4 | Home Record: 6-0-2
Playoff Run
The Cavaliers entered the postseason with momentum and proved they belonged among the best in ACHA Division 2. The playoff run was nothing short of dominant until a heartbreaking championship finish.
Round 1 | vs. UNC Charlotte
- The Cavaliers dominated from the opening faceoff, controlling every aspect of the game and leaving no doubt about their postseason readiness. A complete team effort set the tone for what was to come.
- Result: 8-0 – UVA Win
Round 2 | vs. Georgia Tech
- Riding the momentum from their first-round rout, the Cavaliers crushed UNC Charlotte in a statement performance. The offense was firing on all cylinders while the defense locked things down.
- Result: 8-1 – UVA Win
Championship Game
In the biggest game of the season, the Cavaliers battled St. Joe’s in a back-and-forth championship that had everything: momentum swings, clutch goals, and overtime drama. UVA fought valiantly, trading blows with a talented St. Joe’s squad through regulation before ultimately falling 4-3 in overtime.
Coach of the Year: Kyle Sennott
Coach Kyle Sennott’s recognition as ACCHL Coach of the Year is a testament to the culture, discipline, and competitive fire he has instilled in this program. Under his guidance, the Cavaliers achieved their best record in recent memory and reached the championship game for the first time. His ability to develop players, prepare the team for high-stakes matchups, and foster a winning mentality has elevated UVA Hockey to new heights.
What’s Next: Looking Ahead to 2026-2027
Though the final result was not the one we wanted, this game—and this entire season—showcased the heart, grit, and competitive spirit that defines UVA Hockey. Reaching the championship game is a milestone achievement, and the way this team competed on the biggest stage gives us very reason to believe the best is yet to come.
The foundation has been set. With a championship game appearance, a Coach of the Year, and a program on the rise, the 2026–2027 season promises to be the most exciting yet.
Here’s what’s on the horizon:
- New Jerseys and Equipment: We are excited to unveil brand-new game jerseys for the 2026–2027 season, including updated home and away sets and a potential third alternate orange jersey. New pant shells and gloves will complete the on-ice look, giving the Cavaliers a fresh, unified appearance heading into the new year. To keep the team performing at its best, we are looking to stock up on essential gear and consumables for the 2026–2027 season. This includes practice jerseys, water bottles, pucks, coaching equipment, and other training and game-day supplies that keep the program running smoothly day in and day out.
- Playoff Expectations: After reaching the championship game this season, UVA Hockey is positioned for a deep playoff run in 2026–2027. The core of the roster returns with valuable postseason experience, and the program’s momentum is at an all-time high. Our goal is simple: bring home a championship.
- Additional Information: Interest in UVA Hockey continues to reach new heights, with recruiting and prospective player involvement at an all-time high. The program is attracting a deeper and more competitive talent pool than ever before, positioning the team for sustained success in the years ahead. In addition, the upcoming season’s schedule is being built to reflect the program’s rise, with a stronger slate of opponents and higher levels of competition that will challenge the Cavaliers and prepare them for another postseason run.
- Community and Alumni Engagement: With a championship run in our sights, we want to grow our fanbase and deepen ties with the UVA community. Look for more alumni events and opportunities to get involved with the program as we push toward our biggest season yet.
Support UVA Hockey
UVA Hockey is a club sport, which means we rely entirely on the generosity of our alumni, families, and friends to compete at the highest level. Your donations directly fund ice time, travel, equipment, tournament fees, and the resources that allow our student-athletes to represent the University of Virginia with pride.
This season showed what this program is capable of. Help us take the next step!
