Launching a brand new NCAA Division I women’s hockey program comes with uncertainty, pressure, and opportunity. For Kaitlin Finnegan, serving as a co-captain of the University of Delaware’s inaugural team places her at the center of that moment in history.

“It’s a huge honour, and it’s something that I definitely don’t take for granted,” Finnegan said when reflecting on being entrusted with a leadership role in the program’s first season.

The team’s energy reflects how seriously the players take that responsibility. Finnegan pointed to the support from the university and the local community as a driving force behind the group’s pride and motivation. Being part of the first roster is not just about wins and losses. It is about laying a foundation that future players will build on.

The makeup of the team made that challenge even more interesting. Delaware entered its first season with a notably young roster, including 17 first-year students alongside a small group of transfers. On paper, that level of inexperience could have created growing pains. Instead, Finnegan has seen rapid development.

“As the year went on, a lot of maturity was gained throughout the season,” she explained, noting a clear improvement in how the team plays from the first semester to the second. Beyond the noticeable progress, what stands out most is the group’s resilience.

“With such a young group, we never quit,” Finnegan said. She described third periods that often become the team’s strongest, even when the score is not in their favour. That relentless drive is not easily teachable, and it has become a defining trait of the program’s early identity.

A broader perspective is also shaping the locker room. Players understand they are building something that extends beyond their own careers. Finnegan acknowledged that it can sound cliché to talk about creating something bigger than yourself, but within the team, it feels tangible. Every practice and every game contributes to a standard that will influence the program years from now.

For Finnegan, that long view adds excitement to the present. Even after she moves on, she expects to watch Delaware women’s hockey continue to rise. With strong institutional support and a committed group of players, the inaugural season is less about a final record and more about establishing momentum.

Even in year one, the team has shown clear growth in its maturity, culture, and refusal to back down. Those qualities point to a foundation in Delaware that should support the program for years to come.

Watch the full conversation with University of Delaware forward Kaitlin Finnegan below