(Connecticut Whale signs Sophia Agostinelli. Photo Credit: Courant.com)

The Connecticut Whale announced on Tuesday, that they signed former College of Holy Cross lacrosse star, Sophia Agostinelli.

The five-foot-10 center played Division I lacrosse at Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts between 2011 and 2015. She then went over to play ice hockey in Germany with the Hannover Lady Scorpions in the Frauen-Bundesliga, during the 2015-2016 season. The Whale now have seven forwards, and 15 roster spots locked up, for the 2017-2018 National Women’s Hockey League season.

With the NWHL, National Hockey League and about 16 hockey organizations worldwide having signed the Declaration of Principles last week, Agostinelli embodies one of the key principles, the one being: “There are significant benefits of youth participation in multiple sports.”

Agostinelli said, “I am proud to have this opportunity with the Connecticut Whale. Two years ago, I watched the inaugural NWHL season at odd hours of the night in Germany on my iPhone. Last year I had the opportunity to watch my friends on the ice and root for them on from the stands. This year I am lucky enough to play with them on the ice, and I am beyond excited.”

The standout high school hockey star chose to play Division I lacrosse in college over Division III hockey. In addition to her time on the ice with the Whale this season, she will continue to balance the two sports. She also serves as a graduate assistant with the lacrosse team at the University of Bridgeport, in Connecticut while she pursues a Masters in Biomedical Engineering.

Agostinelli developed her hockey career playing on the boys’ teams, from Mites through Bantam before joining the Lady Flames in Marlborough, Massachusetts. She also served as a captain of the Framingham High School Flyers hockey team.

While playing for the Lady Scorpions, she served as a coach for the German Women’s National Lacrosse team. The lacrosse scholarship athlete at Holy Cross, played club hockey for the school as well. During her senior year, she represented Italy’s National Women’s Lacrosse Team.

Agostinelli added, “Although my primary focus in college was lacrosse, I never gave up playing hockey. I can’t, I love the sport. I believe that playing lacrosse in college was beneficial to playing hockey at a high level. Lacrosse translates well into hockey skills. To prepare for this season I played on a summer league team with my new Whale teammate, Anya Battaglino, Elena Orlando and Kelly Babstock, and I have trained at CrossFit to get strong, fit and fast. I am ready for this challenge.”

Up Next

She hopes that her size and multi-sport learnings will help her make an impact towards the Whale’s “Quest for Isobel.” The third season on the NWHL will face off on Saturday, October 28 as the Whale welcome the defending Isobel Cup Champion, Buffalo Beauts to Terry Conners Ice Rink in Stamford at 2:30 PM.