Jillian Ackerman

The talents of freshman goalie Jillian Ackerman came as no surprise to the Beaver women’s hockey team this season.

The rest of the ACHA quickly found out how good the Minot native was, as well, and the league honored Ackerman’s play in net for Minot State University (MSU) as Ackerman was named to the ACHA Division I All-Athletic women’s hockey 1st Team at goalie.

The honor is the first for the MSU freshman and Minot High School product who last week was named to the All-WMCH 1st Team at goalie, to the WMCH All-Rookie 1st Team at goalie, and the WMCH All-Tournament 1st Team at goalie.

Ackerman led the ACHA among goalies with 10-or-more games played with a 96.4 save percentage and was No. 2 in the ACHA with her 1.04 goals against average in 15 games. The phenomenal freshman also tied for third in the ACHA with 5 shutouts and was 10th in the ACHA in wins with her 11-2-0 record.

Her 96.4 save percentage currently ranks No. 1 all-time for a single season and her 1.04 GAA currently ranks No. 3 all-time for a single season in MSU history.

MSU’s goalie became the 11th ACHA “All-American” in team history and the first since Jordan Kulbida was named to the 1st Team after the 2022-23 season.

Ackerman and the rest of the Beavers (24-9-1 overall) are back in action in two weeks as they begin their quest for the ACHA National Championship in St. Louis, Missouri on Tuesday, March 18, playing Midland in pool play at nationals.

The Beavers then face off against Indiana Tech on Wednesday, March 19, to wrap up pool play. The pool winner advancing to the semifinals on Thursday, March 20.

Joining Ackerman on the ACHA All-Athletic 1st Team were defensemen Emma Gerwitz from Maryville and Aria Groot from McKendree, and forwards Tess McKerrow from Adrian, Loki Antonio from Lindenwood, and Haley Beckett from Maryville.

Named to the ACHA All-Athletic 2nd Team were goalie Kenna Borso from Michigan-Dearborn, defensemen Mia Galassini from Michigan State and Allison Shaw from Adrian, and forwards Zosia Adamek from Liberty, Mia Fiscelli from Colorado, and Cadence Pero from Michigan-Dearborn.