EASTON, Mass. – The 2025-2026 Senior Reflections is a series of annual collections. Senior representatives of teams at Stonehill have been invited to contribute and reflect on their personal experiences over their four-year careers at Stonehill - both on and off the playing surface. 
Lily Geist, Women's Ice Hockey
 
Why Stonehill?
Growing up my dream was to play Division I college ice hockey. I looked up to the Division I girls and would go to any college game I could. When I was finally eligible to be recruited, June 2020, COVID 19 was in full swing. Many teams' rosters started to fill up because of the 5^th year eligibility rule. I felt lost and disheartened, but that was when Stonehill reached out to me. They were starting a brand-new Division I program, and they were looking for girls to fill the team. When I came and visited campus, I knew this was where I wanted to be. Along with the amazing academics I knew I wanted to help build the legacy of Stonehill Women's Hockey and join the inaugural team.
 
How Stonehill has shaped you as a person?
My time at Stonehill has shaped me into the kind of person I want to be. Coming here as a freshman, I was far from home and didn't know anyone out east. The transition from high school to college was challenging, but the people at Stonehill made it feel a little less daunting. Many people have contributed in little ways to shaping me through my time here. My professors showed me the importance of pushing myself to my fullest potential and working hard for my success. My coaches taught me the importance of staying true to who I am and sticking to my values. My teammates taught me how to push through hard times and have fun while doing so. My friends have taught me how to accept myself because they accept me for me.  It was scary, but taking the risk of coming to a new place was the best choice I could have made. Stonehill welcomed me with open arms and made me feel at home. I have become the type women I used to look up to which makes me so proud of myself. The lessons I have learned at Stonehill are ones I will carry my whole life.
 
When I first stepped foot on Stonehill's campus I was nervous, timid, sad to leave the only home I knew, but also so excited. I knew that coming here would be hard at first, but I knew it would be worth it. Now as I am entering my last semester of college, I can't even remember who that scared girl was. I have had my ups and downs here at Stonehill, but every experience I had shaped me into a better person than I was before. I can't express enough how my time here has made into the young women I am today.
 
Best Moments
The best moment for me at Stonehill was my sophomore year when my team won the New England Women's Hockey Alliance championship game. This game was not only important for us as a program being in our second season winning a tile, but it was also for the school. By winning this game we got Stonehill's first ever Division I NCAA tournament bid. Winning that game will forever be one of my favorite days. We got to win in our home rink in front of our fans. The vibes were electric and we had the best time. It was such a special moment for that team, and I couldn't have asked for a better moment. 
 
Lessons Learned
Over the past four years I have learned so much about myself with the most important being the way I carry myself. I want to be someone I am proud of. Working hard in school to the best of my ability makes me proud. Having fun at hockey and being kind to my teammates makes me proud. Branching out to new friends and strengthening old ones makes me proud. Always trying my best to be kind and surround myself with people that make me a better person makes me proud. These are priorities in my life that I will continue to practice once I graduate.
 
Stonehill has given me the skills to be successful in life. The skill of making connections with people who have your best interests in mind. The skill to find people that bring out the best sides of yourself. The skills to persevere even when times are hard. Most importantly the skill of working hard and finding joy in that. Stonehill has taught me so much and I cannot be more grateful for my time here.
 
 
To view the past Senior Reflections visit this site: 2025-2026 Senior Reflections. 

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