WINTHROP, Mass. (January 27, 2026) – First-year forward Payton Palsa of the Stonehill College women's hockey team has been named the New England Women's Hockey Alliance (NEWHA) Rookie of the Week, as announced by the league Tuesday afternoon.

Palsa becomes the first Skyhawk rookie to earn the honor since Alexsa Caron on January 22, 2025. Caron went on to set the single-season team record with six NEWHA weekly recognitions during the 2024–25 campaign.

The Annapolis, Maryland native put together a stellar weekend at the faceoff dot, winning 76 percent of her draws (19-for-25), while also lighting the lamp for her second career goal in the Skyhawks' 2–1 victory over NEWHA rival LIU on Saturday afternoon. With her 19 faceoff wins over the weekend, Palsa now owns 224 faceoff victories on the season, posting a 55.7 winning percentage (224-178) and sitting just 37 wins shy of Stonehill's rookie faceoff wins record, set by Brianna Walkom during the program's inaugural 2022–23 season.

Palsa's goal against the Sharks proved to be the game-winner, marking her second game-winning goal in the last four contests. Her first career tally also stood as the deciding score in a win over Sacred Heart on January 16.

Stonehill (12-12-2, 12-6-2 NEWHA) returns to action this weekend with a home-and-home series against NEWHA opponent Assumption University. Puck drop for Friday's opener between the Skyhawks and Greyhounds at the Worcester Ice Center is set for 4 p.m.

For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.