MANCHESTER, N.H. — Dreams became reality for Hanover High junior Casey Wilkinson and the rest of her squad as they claimed the NHIAA Division I girls’ hockey championship, defeating Oyster River-Portsmouth, 4-2 at SNHU Arena Saturday morning.

With about seven minutes remaining in regulation, tied at two goals apiece, Wilkinson dusted a Clippercats’ defender and got one-on-one with senior goaltender Sage Bussiere, whom she deked and beat with a backhand, to give Hanover a 3-2 lead, in what proved to be the game-winning goal. 

Hanover’s Casey Wilkinson buzzes an unassisted shot past Oyster River-Portsmouth goalie Sage Bussiere to break a 2-2 third-period tie during the NHIAA girls hockey championship in Manchester, N.H., on Saturday, March 14, 2026. The eighth-seeded Bears won, 4-2, over the third-seeded Clippercats for Hanover’s 14th title since the NHIAA began sanctioning a postseason in 2008. GEOFF HANSEN / Valley News

Hanover freshman Caroline Warrington, who scored twice in the contest, extended the No. 8 seed Bears’ lead to 4-2 just six seconds later off the ensuing faceoff to put the dagger in the No. 3 seed Clippercats. 

“Last night, I was dreaming about that play,” Wilkinson said. “I knew that if I could get a breakaway, I could try that move, and I’ve honestly been waiting to do that all year — it was just a great feeling.”

Hanover teammates Piper Hansen, left, and Ava Morancy embrace after the Bears won the NHIAA girls hockey championship in Manchester, N.H., on Saturday, March 14, 2026. The eighth-seeded Bears won, 4-2, over the third-seeded Oyster River-Portsmouth for Hanover’s 14th title since the NHIAA began sanctioning a postseason in 2008. GEOFF HANSEN / Valley News

The title marks the third straight for the Bears and the 15th since 2008. 

“I think they came a long way from day one — buying into the culture and what the coaches expect from them and just daily work habits,” Hanover Head Coach John Dodds said of his squad, which had nine freshmen. “There’s some good players in that group — it wasn’t just coaching that did it, there’s some talented kids that came up.” 

Dodds credited the tough out-of-state opponents his team faced for the progress they made — especially in the last three to four weeks. 

“We overloaded our schedule with challenging games. I think we took a lot from that. Sometimes they’re hard lessons, but a good way to learn is to make mistakes,” he said. 

The game started well for the Bears as they drew first blood about six minutes in on a goal by sophomore Pauline Rudd, assisted by sophomore Emma Richardson. 

Hanover’s Pauline Rudd, left, and Oyster River-Portsmouth’s Eliza Farwell scramble for the puck after a face-off during the NHIAA girls hockey championship in Manchester, N.H., on Saturday, March 14, 2026. The eighth-seeded Bears won, 4-2, over the third-seeded Clippercats for Hanover’s 14th title since the NHIAA began sanctioning a postseason in 2008. GEOFF HANSEN / Valley News

While Hanover could not extend its 1-0 lead any further in the first frame, it dominated the period, outshooting Oyster River-Portsmouth 13-3. 

Although the Bears continued to outshoot the Clippercats in the second period, the frame was more tightly contested than the shots-on-goal numbers would suggest. 

Just over two minutes into the frame, Oyster River-Portsmouth took advantage of a power play opportunity and tied the game on a goal from senior Eliza Farwell.

The 1-1 tie did not last that long. About two minutes later, Warrington got her first goal of the game, tapping one home to give the Bears a 2-1 lead. 

Hanover girls hockey coach John Dodds has a moment with friends and family — including his six grandchildren — at the boards after the Bears won their 14th NHIAA title in Manchester, N.H., on March 14, 2026. Dodds finished his 22nd season coaching the team. GEOFF HANSEN / Valley News

The Clippercats would answer, though, and with about seven minutes remaining in the period, sophomore Ava Gasowski scored to tie the contest at two goals apiece. 

Heading into the third, Dodds made an adjustment by mixing up some of his lines. 

“I think that adjustment helped,” he said. “It was going to be for maybe three or four shifts just to see if we could create a couple of chances, and I think we did.” 

Although Hanover could not find the back of the net on two power play opportunities early in the third period, it would eventually break through via Wilkinson’s breakaway en route to another state championship. 

Dodds, who said it felt great to pick up another state title, was grateful for the support he and his team received in pursuit of another championship. 

“I had a ton of emails on the way down from former players wishing us luck,” he said. “That’s one thing about our program — we stay in touch — we’re like a family.”

Hanover’s girls hockey team celebrates their 4-2 NHIAA girls hockey championship win over Oyster River-Portsmouth in front of the Bears’ student section in Manchester, N.H., on Saturday, March 14, 2026. It was Hanover’s 14th title since the NHIAA began sanctioning a postseason in 2008. GEOFF HANSEN / Valley News