The Norwich University women’s hockey team has a chance to cement a historic season into the ultimate record books. The No. 2 Cadets stand just two wins away from adding their third NCAA Division III championship banner to their collection. “I’m just like, wow,” said Norwich women’s hockey junior forward Livia Brooks. “Just an incredible experience that I’m so excited to be a part of.”Norwich’s first two national titles were earned in 2011 and 2018, with their last appearance in the NCAA Frozen Four taking place during their title run in 2018. In 2026, The Cadets have built an impressive resume to reach the national semifinals. They currently hold a 26-2-0 overall record, including a 23-game winning streak to reach this point of the season. Those 23 straight wins were a part of an undefeated home record at 16-0-0, an undefeated Little East conference record at 18-0-0, a Little East conference championship and a NCAA Quarterfinal win against Hamline University. What makes this season maybe even more remarkable is that all the team accolades are a part of Justin Simpson’s first year as Norwich women’s hockey head coach. This season also marks his first ever in a head coaching position. “Could not have predicted this in my first year as a new coaching staff,” Simpson said. “But as we told the team, the goal was to get to the national tournament and take it day by day … we strung together a pretty nice run here, and we’re looking to keep it going this weekend.”Simpson has gained a lot of respect from his players in just his first year at the helm, who emphasize how determined he is to get better game by game and practice by practice. His leadership led the American Hockey Coaches Association to recognize Simpson as one of 11 finalists for the Division III Women’s Hockey Coach of the Year award. “Our culture is just super strong, and I think a lot of that comes from Justin,” said Norwich women’s hockey sophomore defender Jordan Brady. “He is super committed, and you can tell that he really cares about our success, he also cares about all of us as individuals. That comes from his preparation, our film sessions, the plans, practices and the scouts that he does. It’s all just super detailed.”Simpson also expressed how talented his roster is around him. Norwich’s representation in their conference’s all-star honors certainly backs up that point. The Cadets have six Little East first-team selections, three Little East second-team selections, and three Little East all-rookie team selections. At the top of their all-stars list is Brooks, who was the 2026 Little East Player of the Year. She is tied with fellow Little East first-teamer Breanna Ricker for the team lead in goal scoring (19) and also led Norwich in points this season (36). Brooks, a native of Walpole, Massachusetts, spent part of her high school hockey career at Vermont Academy. The private boarding school in Saxtons River, Vermont, is a place that she credits with helping her prepare to reach this moment in her college hockey career. “It was super life-changing,” Brooks said. “I’m grateful for the coaching and the community there has helped me become the person I am today. I was fortunate enough to grow up in Vermont since I was 14 years old and then go to college in Vermont as well, which is super nice.”Two Cadets also have local ties to the 2026 Frozen Four tournament venue in River Falls, Wisconsin. Madison Anderson and Jordan Brady, who are both from Green Bay, are thrilled to have a larger support group from both of their families who are expected to make the trip to see them play Wisconsin River Falls University’s Hunt Arena. “It’s a full circle moment for me,” Anderson said. “Growing up in Wisconsin and playing in those youth rinks and finally going back is truly an opportunity, a memorable moment that I’ll always remember.””My family and my friends have been supporting me from halfway across the country for the last two years,” Brady said. “It’s cool that they’ll be able to be there in person. I can have a big support system there for me in person.”Up first at Hunt Arena for the Cadets is the Nazareth College Golden Flyers in the NCAA Division III semifinals. Nazareth currently has a 26-1-1 overall record and an undefeated 14-0-0 United Collegiate Hockey Conference record. They also picked up the UCHC conference tournament title in that span. The Golden Flyers have several talented scorers led by the UCHC player of the year Amy Laskowski. She leads her team in goals (25), assists (24) and points (49) on the offensive side of the zone. On defense, Norwich is led by their goaltender Mia Gonsalves. The first-year netminder allows 1.28 goals per game, leading to a save percentage of .927. “Gonsalves is a really good. She’s put up some of the best numbers in the country,” Simpson said. “Laskowski is one of the leading scorers in the country … She’s got 25 goals in 29 games,” he said. “Not to discount some of their other forwards like Brooke Judkiewicz. Very fast, talented and skilled. They’re deep, and they’re going to pose a lot of threats to us offensively.”The Cadets will look to put the proper game plan in place to take down the Golden Flyers on Friday, March 27, at 4 p.m. The winner of this game will advance to face either Wisconsin River Falls or Amherst College in the NCAA Division III championship on Sunday, March 29, at 4 p.m.

NORTHFIELD, Vt. —

The Norwich University women’s hockey team has a chance to cement a historic season into the ultimate record books.

The No. 2 Cadets stand just two wins away from adding their third NCAA Division III championship banner to their collection.

“I’m just like, wow,” said Norwich women’s hockey junior forward Livia Brooks. “Just an incredible experience that I’m so excited to be a part of.”

Norwich’s first two national titles were earned in 2011 and 2018, with their last appearance in the NCAA Frozen Four taking place during their title run in 2018. In 2026, The Cadets have built an impressive resume to reach the national semifinals.

They currently hold a 26-2-0 overall record, including a 23-game winning streak to reach this point of the season. Those 23 straight wins were a part of an undefeated home record at 16-0-0, an undefeated Little East conference record at 18-0-0, a Little East conference championship and a NCAA Quarterfinal win against Hamline University.

What makes this season maybe even more remarkable is that all the team accolades are a part of Justin Simpson’s first year as Norwich women’s hockey head coach. This season also marks his first ever in a head coaching position.

“Could not have predicted this in my first year as a new coaching staff,” Simpson said. “But as we told the team, the goal was to get to the national tournament and take it day by day … we strung together a pretty nice run here, and we’re looking to keep it going this weekend.”

Simpson has gained a lot of respect from his players in just his first year at the helm, who emphasize how determined he is to get better game by game and practice by practice. His leadership led the American Hockey Coaches Association to recognize Simpson as one of 11 finalists for the Division III Women’s Hockey Coach of the Year award.

“Our culture is just super strong, and I think a lot of that comes from Justin,” said Norwich women’s hockey sophomore defender Jordan Brady. “He is super committed, and you can tell that he really cares about our success, he also cares about all of us as individuals. That comes from his preparation, our film sessions, the plans, practices and the scouts that he does. It’s all just super detailed.”

Simpson also expressed how talented his roster is around him. Norwich’s representation in their conference’s all-star honors certainly backs up that point.

The Cadets have six Little East first-team selections, three Little East second-team selections, and three Little East all-rookie team selections.

At the top of their all-stars list is Brooks, who was the 2026 Little East Player of the Year. She is tied with fellow Little East first-teamer Breanna Ricker for the team lead in goal scoring (19) and also led Norwich in points this season (36).

Brooks, a native of Walpole, Massachusetts, spent part of her high school hockey career at Vermont Academy. The private boarding school in Saxtons River, Vermont, is a place that she credits with helping her prepare to reach this moment in her college hockey career.

“It was super life-changing,” Brooks said. “I’m grateful for the coaching and the community there has helped me become the person I am today. I was fortunate enough to grow up in Vermont since I was 14 years old and then go to college in Vermont as well, which is super nice.”

Two Cadets also have local ties to the 2026 Frozen Four tournament venue in River Falls, Wisconsin. Madison Anderson and Jordan Brady, who are both from Green Bay, are thrilled to have a larger support group from both of their families who are expected to make the trip to see them play Wisconsin River Falls University’s Hunt Arena.

“It’s a full circle moment for me,” Anderson said. “Growing up in Wisconsin and playing in those youth rinks and finally going back is truly an opportunity, a memorable moment that I’ll always remember.”

“My family and my friends have been supporting me from halfway across the country for the last two years,” Brady said. “It’s cool that they’ll be able to be there in person. I can have a big support system there for me in person.”

Up first at Hunt Arena for the Cadets is the Nazareth College Golden Flyers in the NCAA Division III semifinals. Nazareth currently has a 26-1-1 overall record and an undefeated 14-0-0 United Collegiate Hockey Conference record. They also picked up the UCHC conference tournament title in that span.

The Golden Flyers have several talented scorers led by the UCHC player of the year Amy Laskowski. She leads her team in goals (25), assists (24) and points (49) on the offensive side of the zone.

On defense, Norwich is led by their goaltender Mia Gonsalves. The first-year netminder allows 1.28 goals per game, leading to a save percentage of .927.

“Gonsalves is a really good. She’s put up some of the best numbers in the country,” Simpson said.

“Laskowski is one of the leading scorers in the country … She’s got 25 goals in 29 games,” he said. “Not to discount some of their other forwards like Brooke Judkiewicz. Very fast, talented and skilled. They’re deep, and they’re going to pose a lot of threats to us offensively.”

The Cadets will look to put the proper game plan in place to take down the Golden Flyers on Friday, March 27, at 4 p.m. The winner of this game will advance to face either Wisconsin River Falls or Amherst College in the NCAA Division III championship on Sunday, March 29, at 4 p.m.