Two College of the Holy Cross women’s hockey players trade their Crusaders jerseys for national team uniforms next month, representing their home countries on one of international hockey’s biggest stages.
Sophomore defender Anna Billa was plucked to play for Austria, while sophomore forward Naemi Herzig represents Switzerland at the 2026 International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championship, scheduled for Nov. 6-16 in Denmark.
These picks put two Holy Cross teammates on opposing sides of the same international tournament, with both countries competing in Group A alongside the United States, Czechia and Germany. They are also scheduled to face each other Nov. 10 in Esbjerg, Denmark, giving the Crusaders a rare head-to-head matchup on the world stage.
For Herzig, the championship marks another major international appearance in a year that has already included an Olympic medal. The Swiss forward helped her country capture bronze at the 2026 Winter Olympics and has made 28 appearances for Switzerland’s national team over the past three years, recording two goals and one assist. She has also been a significant contributor to Holy Cross this season, scoring four goals and adding an assist through eight games. Her collegiate career totals stand at 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points.
Billa brings considerable international experience of her own. The Austrian defender has made 20 appearances for her national team over the past five years, recording one assist. At Holy Cross, Billa has appeared in eight games this season. Through 39 career collegiate games, she has scored twice and contributed three assists.
Both players face demanding competition in Denmark, where the United States is among their opponents.
Austria opens tournament play Nov. 6 against Czechia at 3 p.m. local time in Esbjerg. Switzerland begins its schedule later that day against the United States at 7 p.m.
Austria also faces Germany on Nov. 7 and the United States on Nov. 9. Switzerland meets Czechia on Nov. 8 before the two Holy Cross teammates square off Nov. 10. Switzerland finishes its scheduled group games against Germany on Nov. 11. The quarterfinals are scheduled for Nov. 13 in Esbjerg and Herning, with the semifinals Nov. 15 and the championship game Nov. 16 in Herning.
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