Who let Fetch loose? Maine’s sparkplug forward is on fire.
This weekend, the unranked University of Maine’s women’s ice hockey team made headlines by defeating No. 8 Colgate, 2-1. The star of the show was Lily Fetch, who made the game-winning goal.
Originally from Woodbury, Minnesota, Fetch has been playing hockey since childhood and commits to the game like no other. “It was different with me. I still fall asleep to games, and I just love hockey and I always have,” she mentioned when describing what hockey means to her. A product of the Minnesota Jr. Whitecaps and East Ridge High School, Fetch stood out early in her career with over 100 points (112 in 73 games) at the high school level. She committed to the University of Maine in 2022.
Maine is a great spot for Fetch, as it is unlike many other programs when it comes to community and fan support. Many players, men and women, have said the Alfond is what one falls in love with. “I fell in love with Maine, I really liked it. Ever since then it was the school I wanted to go to,” she stated on her choice of UMaine.
In her freshman season, Fetch made an immediate impact with 11 points — three goals and eight assists — leading all rookies on the team in scoring. She scored her first collegiate goal in a game against Quinnipiac and showed consistent reliability throughout the season. While the team didn’t reach the top of the Hockey East standings, Fetch’s strong two-way play and consistency earned her a key role in the lineup from the outset.
Her sophomore year marked a noticeable leap in performance. Early in the season, Fetch recorded her first career three-point game in a win over Vermont, scoring a goal and two assists. She went on to score the overtime game-winner just 32 seconds into extra time against Harvard on Jan. 10, 2025; a highlight that demonstrated her growing poise in clutch situations.
Just two weeks later, she again delivered the game-winning goal in a tight 2–1 victory over New Hampshire. On Feb. 7, Fetch scored a critical late goal to help Maine upset nationally ranked Northeastern, 2–0, underscoring her ability to show up in big moments. By late February, she led the team in both goals (8) and total points (15), establishing herself as Maine’s most dangerous offensive threat.
Fetch plays a fast, intelligent game, making up for her smaller stature (5’4”), with elite hockey sense and quick decision-making. These traits, noted during her recruitment, have translated well to the college level. Her ability to deliver under pressure, as seen in her overtime heroics and game-winning goals, reflects both her growing confidence and leadership potential.
Looking ahead, Fetch is poised to be a cornerstone for the Black Bears as she enters her upperclassman years. Her continued development not only bodes well for her own future, but also signals hope for a Maine program looking to climb the Hockey East ranks. If her upward trajectory continues, she has the potential to become one of the conference’s top forwards and a leader on and off the ice. She is shaping up to be a critical player in the Black Bears’ quest for competitive prominence in women’s college hockey.