Liberty University’s women’s ice hockey team ranked fifth in a recent American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) national poll.

“We were expecting it, but at the same time we are grateful,” head coach Paul Bloomfield said. “The team keeps getting better and better every year.”

Last year the team went to the national tournament and placed fifth overall. Both Bloomfield and assistant coach Scott Bloomfield believe the team will move up in the ACHA rankings and place higher at nationals this year.

“We should be a pretty good force to be reckoned with this year,” assistant coach Scott Bloomfield said. “One of our freshmen, Carly Peleshock, is leading the entire nation in points right now.”

Liberty (7-3-1) has important matchups with No. 1-ranked Lindenwood University and No. 10 University of Colorado around Thanksgiving break. The results of these games will decide if Liberty moves up in the next ACHA poll.

The next home game will be held on Jan. 14 at 9 p.m. against the University of Massachusetts.

National ACHA Top 10

• 1   Lindenwood University

• 2   Robert Morris University

• 3   Michigan State University

• 4   Grand Valley State University

• 5   Liberty University

• 6   University of Rhode Island

• 7   Penn State University

• 8   University of Massachusetts

• 9   University of Michigan

• 10 University of Colorado