By Lilly Corso
Lilly Corso is a junior business student at Endicott College, majoring in marketing. Beyond the classroom, Corso is a member of the Endicott’s NCAA D-III women’s ice hockey team, having developed teamwork, discipline, and leadership skills both on and off the ice.
Div. III hockey often flies under the radar, but for those who play it, it’s everything. We as athletes lace up every day not for scholarships or national exposure but for the competition, memories and love of the game. It’s about early mornings at the rink, squeezing in workouts between classes and long bus rides that turn into unforgettable stories. It’s about playing in front of a small but loyal crowd, where your teammates are your biggest fans and motivators.
In Div. III hockey, every shift matters because it’s earned through relentless effort and accountability. There’s no sense of entitlement – just a shared commitment to the team and a burning desire to get better. It’s a grind that teaches discipline, sacrifice and how to lead both on and off the ice.
The bonds formed in the locker room are what makes it all worth it. Teammates become sisters, coaches become mentors, and the program becomes a second home. These are the years that shape young women not only into athletes, but into leaders, professionals and lifelong friends. They learn how to show up for others, how to handle adversity and how to keep pushing even when no one’s watching.
D-III hockey might not make national headlines or sell out arenas, but it builds something even more important: character. The players walk away from their college careers with more than stats, they leave with a work ethic that lasts a lifetime and a love for the game that never fades. In a world that often glorifies the top tier, Div. III quietly reminds us what hockey is really about: passion, heart, and playing for something bigger than yourself.