Mia Gonsalves ’25 Backstops Nazareth Golden Flyers to #3 Rank in the Nation

Earning the starting goalie job as a freshman for a program with National Championship aspirations, Mia Gonsalves ’25 seized the opportunity, embraced the challenges, and established herself as one of the top goalies in Division III for the Nazareth University Women’s Ice Hockey team.

Earning Her Spot

Entering only their eighth season competing in the NCAA, the Golden Flyers have quickly risen up the Division III ranks. After earning their first NCAA tournament victory in 2025, the team had their sights set on continuing the program’s upward trajectory in 2026.

As a goalie, Mia knew she would have to compete to earn her ice time: “It was pretty mentally challenging at first, going into a new school and not knowing much about the other goalies, how they play, and what the coach wants. My mindset going into it was to just be myself. My dad always tells me, ‘Mia, be Mia. Play how Mia plays.’ I just stuck with that mindset and didn't try to change anything.”

A Winning Mindset

This mentality paid off. As the team prepared for their first pre-season scrimmage, Mia learned that she would be the starting goalie: “I was super nervous, but taking on a big role was important to me, and I knew it was important to the team to do well.” Given the opportunity to prove herself, Mia did not look back. She started 28 of the Golden Flyers' 30 games and posted a 25-2-1 record, which ranked second in the nation in goalie win percentage (0.911). She helped the team to an undefeated regular season, the #3 rank in the country, and their first NCAA playoff bye in program history.

Mia feels that her success this season can be credited to the lessons she learned: “I learned throughout the season that I can't stop every puck. I learned that letting in goals isn't a bad thing. I just have to move on from it and keep working because if you let in a goal or two, it's not the end of the world; it's not the end of the game. I try to stay as consistent as I can and work to be the best I can for my team.” 

The importance of this approach was on full display in Nazareth’s NCAA semifinal matchup against Norwich University. Down 3-0 after the first period, Mia didn’t waver, stopping 13 of Norwich’s next 14 shots as the Golden Flyers rallied for a 5-4 overtime victory, earning a spot in the National Championship. Reflecting on their playoff run, Mia said, “It was an unreal feeling to get that far. I think that if I had let those early goals get to my head, the story would've been a little bit different.”

While Nazareth ultimately fell in the National Championship, Mia put on a standout performance, posting a career-high 40 saves. Her play in this game earned her the Nazareth Athletics 2025-26 Single-Game Performance of the Year. This was one more accolade in a season full of them. Throughout the year, Mia was named Empire 8 Goalie of the Week three times, UCHC Goaltender of the Week once, UCHC Rookie of the Week once, and was selected to the All-UCHC Third Team, UCHC All-Rookie Team, UCHC All-Academic Team, and All-Empire 8 Second Team.  

Finding Community

Mia’s time at Holderness allowed her to recognize the importance of a strong community when building a foundation for success: “I’m really grateful that I had my experience at Holderness.

That closeness that you find at Holderness isn’t something that you find everywhere. Living in the dorm with my teammates and building those close connections, I carried that experience with me to college. At Nazareth, we were brought into the hockey team the moment we got on campus. I drove onto campus, checked in, and when I got to my dorm, I was immediately surrounded by 20-plus girls who proceeded to open my car and bring every single thing up to my room. It was so welcoming, you just wanted to buy in immediately.” 

Able to find success early in her college career, Mia urges younger athletes to make the most of the opportunities they have in high school.

“The advice I would give to younger athletes is to buy into your sport, buy into your position. No matter what, it's going to be hard. Nothing's ever going to be perfect, but if you're bought into your training and practice at the high school level, it's a lot easier to transition to college.”