How Murphy Rose Into A Star Goalie

It was two months into the 2021-22 season when first-year goalie Hannah Murphy ’25 got her big opportunity. 

Colgate was set to face Boston College and No. 3 Minnesota in a tournament in Nashville. The Raiders had never before beaten either opponent. To come out victorious, Colgate had to do it minus starting goalie Kayle Osborne ’24, who went down with an injury the previous weekend.

That meant it was up to Murphy to stand tall against two tough opponents. The native of Bradford, Ontario was a highly-coveted recruit with massive potential. But she was still unproven, having played only a few games thus far for Colgate against weaker teams.

The tournament would be her biggest challenge yet.

The result? Murphy did more than hold her own. She was spectacular, making big saves while yielding only a single goal in each game. Both games were quintessential hockey battles. Colgate outlasted both opponents by the same score, 2-1, and brought home the tournament trophy. 

It was a turning moment in Murphy’s young Colgate career. 

“The experience in Nashville was a huge confidence booster for me,” Murphy said.

Her performance made her realize she could excel against top competition. It also showed the coaches what they had in their rookie goaltender. 

Murphy continued to start each weekend until Osborne was fully healthy. Once that happened, then-head coach Greg Fargo adjusted his plan going forward. Rather than have Osborne shoulder the bulk of the minutes, the team began using two goalies much more often.

And it was all possible because an opportunity had emerged, and Murphy made the best of it. 

“Kayle, unfortunately, got injured, and then I got thrown into the mix and was given the opportunity to play a lot more than I otherwise would have, which was pretty fortuitous,” Murphy said. “Otherwise, I may have sat on the bench for the majority of the year.”

Murphy and Osborne would split time over the next three seasons. In the process, they became close friends, cheering each other on while offering important feedback to help one another improve. 

In the process, they went on to achieve exceptional careers as Raiders, winning three ECAC titles together.

SHINING AT COLGATE

Murphy is now in her final season. But this time, things are a little different. Osborne graduated and is playing in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), leaving Murphy to handle the bulk of the goaltending duties.

The extra minutes have been no trouble for Murphy, who is having another stellar season. As of Feb. 4, she’s 20-5 with a 1.88 goals against average and two shutouts. She set a career-high for saves with 55 in a 2-1 overtime win over Clarkson on Jan. 31. It was the most saves ever by a Raider goalie in a win.

She was recently named to the Women’s Hockey Commissioners Association Goalie of the Year Watchlist for a third consecutive season. She’s the program’s record holder for most career shutouts with 17.

Murphy said her confidence is one big reason for her success. Another is the various coaches she has worked with to help her develop on the ice. 

Her former coach, Fargo, who is now coaching in the PWHL, was a goalie during his playing days, and used his experience to guide his goaltenders at Colgate. The Raiders have also used goalie coaches. And now, with new head coach Stefan Decosse at the helm, his staff includes assistant coach Alex Gettens, a former goalie who has helped Murphy refine her abilities.

Murphy has taken this input and continued to find ways to improve.

“Here at Colgate, we have such an amazing support system, whether it’s in the classroom or on the ice,” Murphy said. “I can access support in every facet of my day and there are people who look out for me or reach out if I need help with academics or hockey.

“There have been a lot of different people who have impacted me in my Colgate career,” she said. “It’s such a wonderful network of people here at Colgate.”

Another reason this season has been different is the C on her jersey, which is another indicator of the support Murphy gets from her team and coaches. Murphy is sharing the captain duties with junior Sara Stewart and is relishing the opportunity.

Ranked No. 4 in the country, Colgate is having another banner season. In the process, Murphy has learned to become a leader who can make a big impact on her team with her actions on and off the ice.

“One big difference this year is that I’m gaining more of a voice around the team, on and off the ice, and helping out the younger players,” she said. “In the net, I can control the play by getting whistles for our team. This year, I see myself as a calm presence to help the others feel a little more relaxed. We are able to play as a team and never give up, even in tough games.”

Murphy has also taken on another essential role by becoming a mentor for first-year goalies Farah Walker and Lianna Seeley, who will be tasked with filling Murphy’s shoes next season.

“It’s nice to have someone who clearly looks up to you and aspires to be in your shoes one day,” Murphy said. “Having Farah and Lianna has been great. We call ourselves a goalie family. We have a really good relationship.

PURSUING HER DREAM

Her head coach, Decosse, has watched Murphy evolve since her first year. Previously an assistant coach under Fargo, Decosse helped recruit Murphy. 

“When we first recruited Hannah, we knew she had tremendous potential, but to see her grow into the exceptional captain she is today has been remarkable,” he said. “She possesses a calm, focused presence that centers our team, and her preparation sets a standard for everyone in our program.”

Decosse said he’s impressed with Murphy’s approach to the game and determination to become a better hockey player.

“She truly is an everyday player—consistent in her approach, relentless in her work ethic, and able to elevate her play when it matters most,” he said. “Above all, Hannah is an outstanding person whose character reflects the values we strive to uphold in our program.”

Murphy is studying mathematical economics with a minor in writing & rhetoric. She discovered her major by taking courses in different subjects through Colgate’s liberal arts program.

“I love school and learning new things,” she said of her fondness for education. “I came to Colgate not knowing what economics was. I had no idea what I wanted to do. When I took an economics course, I was like, ‘Oh, I really like this. This is kind of fun.’ I never thought I would want to continue math through university, but I realized that I really enjoy it and it’s something I am good at. The professors have been very supportive and I found the right path for me.”

While hockey is a major part of her life, Murphy also wanted to study at a small college with top-notched academic programs. Colgate provided precisely what she wanted and was always her first choice of schools, she said. 

The team has two weeks remaining in the regular season and is in a battle for first place in the ECAC. The Raiders are winners of four consecutive conference titles and are hungry for a fifth trophy and another shot at the nationals. 

Murphy knows it’s crunch time for her team, but she’s also thinking of her future. While she’s thought about ways to use her Colgate education in different careers, her dream is to declare for the PWHL. 

The league is in its second season and has seen unprecedented success. From record-setting sell-out attendance numbers and support from media and corporate sponsors, its future appears to have no limits and this is a fantastic new opportunity for players like Murphy.

In addition, a number of Colgate alumnae are playing in the league. 

Murphy said the PWHL opens the door for women to continue to play hockey after college. Other than the pros, the only other option for women is playing on the national level, which is extremely difficult to achieve given the high competition. 

“The PWHL is an amazing opportunity that has been afforded for female athletes,” she said. “Now women can set their sights on a professional hockey career and little girls can follow their dreams, too.”

While Murphy hopes to conclude her Colgate career with another championship, her four years as a Raider have been nothing short of memorable. 

“It has been an unbelievable journey, with so many wonderful experiences and seeing what my future holds,” she said.