Wisconsin Wins 2026 NC Women’s Hockey Championship | NCAA.com
Madison, WI – The Wisconsin Badgers are back-to-back NCAA Women’s Hockey National Champions. In a tightly contested final on , Wisconsin defeated Ohio State 3-2, securing their ninth national title in program history and their fifth championship in the last seven seasons.
The victory marks a dominant run for the Badgers, who have now claimed three of the last four national championships. This year’s tournament saw Ohio State enter as the No. 1 seed, but Wisconsin proved too strong in the final, continuing a recent trend of Badger success against the Buckeyes. Wisconsin defeated Ohio State for the third time in four years in the championship game.
The game itself was a back-and-forth affair. Wisconsin jumped out to an early lead with goals from Kelly Gorbatenko and Laney Potter. However, Ohio State responded with two goals of their own to open the third period, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. With just 6:18 remaining in regulation, Claire Enright scored the game-winning goal for Wisconsin, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
Wisconsin goaltender Ava McNaughton was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament, and for good reason. She delivered a stellar performance, stopping 34 of the 36 shots she faced. McNaughton’s highlight-reel saves throughout the game were crucial in holding off Ohio State’s potent offense and securing the championship for the Badgers. Her save in the first period was particularly noteworthy, keeping the Buckeyes off the board early.
This championship win was not without its challenges. Wisconsin only secured their third one-goal victory of the season, with the other coming in an overtime win against Penn State in the Frozen Four semifinal. This demonstrates their ability to win close games when it matters most, a quality that proved essential against a determined Ohio State team.
The road to the championship wasn’t straightforward for either team. The tournament field was set following a selection demonstrate on . The bracket saw several competitive matchups, including a 6-0 victory for Wisconsin over Quinnipiac in the regional finals, and a 3-0 win for Penn State over UConn. In the Women’s Frozen Four, Ohio State dominated Northeastern 5-0, while Wisconsin edged out Penn State 4-3 in overtime to reach the final.
The 2026 NC women’s hockey championship bracket included regional semifinals featuring Yale defeating Minnesota Duluth 1-0, and UConn overcoming Princeton 4-1. Quinnipiac too secured a spot in the regional finals with a 4-1 victory over Franklin Pierce. The regional finals then saw Wisconsin, Penn State, Northeastern, and Ohio State advance to the Frozen Four.
Wisconsin’s championship victory continues a legacy of success for the program. They previously defeated Ohio State 4-3 in overtime in the 2025 championship game, marking the third consecutive year the two teams battled for the national title. Prior to that, Ohio State claimed the championship in 2024 with a 1-0 victory over Wisconsin, and Wisconsin won in 2023 with a 1-0 win over the Buckeyes. Ohio State also won in 2022, defeating Minnesota Duluth 3-2.
Looking back at the history of the NC women’s hockey championship, Wisconsin has consistently been a dominant force. They also secured titles in 2021, 2019, 2017, 2011, 2009, and 2007. The 2020 championship was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This latest victory solidifies Wisconsin’s position as a powerhouse in women’s college hockey and sets the stage for another exciting season in 2027. The Badgers’ ability to consistently compete at the highest level, combined with their strong recruiting and coaching staff, suggests they will remain a top contender for years to come.