2026 NC Women’s Hockey Championship: Bracket, Schedule & Scores

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – The stage is set for a familiar showdown in women’s college hockey. Ohio State and Wisconsin will meet for the fourth consecutive year in the national championship game, following their respective victories in the Frozen Four on Friday at Pegula Ice Arena. The championship will be played on Sunday, March 22nd.

Ohio State advanced to the final with a dominant 5-0 victory over Northeastern, even as Wisconsin secured a hard-fought 4-3 overtime win against Penn State. The Buckeyes, the tournament’s No. 1 seed, showcased their offensive prowess, leaving no doubt against a strong Northeastern team. Wisconsin’s victory was a thrilling affair, decided by a Kirsten Simms goal in overtime, continuing a recent trend of close contests between these two programs.

This year’s tournament field included eleven teams, with five earning automatic bids through their respective conference championships. The remaining six teams were selected at-large by the NCAA committee. Qualifying teams included Penn State, Ohio State, Connecticut, Quinnipiac, Franklin Pierce, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Minnesota Duluth, Northeastern, Yale, and Princeton. Franklin Pierce made their first-ever tournament appearance, while Penn State reached the Frozen Four for the first time in program history.

The path to the championship wasn’t without its upsets and compelling storylines. Yale defeated Minnesota Duluth 1-0 in a regional semifinal, while UConn upset Princeton with a 4-1 victory. Quinnipiac also secured a regional win, defeating Franklin Pierce 4-1. However, those teams ultimately fell short of reaching the Frozen Four.

In the regional finals, Wisconsin demonstrated its strength with a 6-0 shutout of Quinnipiac. Penn State continued its impressive run, defeating UConn 3-0. Northeastern edged out Minnesota 4-2, and Ohio State dominated Yale with a 6-1 victory, setting the stage for the Frozen Four matchups.

The championship game will be a rematch of the 2025 title game, which Wisconsin won 4-3 in overtime. It marks the third straight year these two powerhouses have battled for the national title. Ohio State will be looking to avenge last year’s loss and claim their second championship in three years, having won in 2024 with a 1-0 victory over Wisconsin. Wisconsin, meanwhile, will aim to defend their title and continue their dominance in women’s college hockey.

Looking back at the history of the NC women’s hockey championship, Wisconsin and Ohio State have established themselves as the dominant forces in recent years. Wisconsin claimed the title in 2025, 2023, and 2021, while Ohio State won in 2024 and 2022. Prior to this recent run, Minnesota-Duluth and Wisconsin were frequent contenders, with multiple championships in the 2000s and 2010s.

The 2026 championship game promises to be another exciting chapter in the rivalry between Ohio State and Wisconsin. Both teams boast talented rosters and experienced coaching staffs, and the game is expected to be closely contested. The puck drops at 4 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, March 22nd, and will be televised on ESPNU.

NC Women’s Hockey Championship History