UNIVERSITY PARK, PA (WEAU) – Wisconsin women’s hockey are once again the top team in the nation. The Badgers earned a 3-2 win over rival Ohio State in the Frozen Four Championship to extend grow their record of nine national titles as a program.
The contest was the fourth consecutive meeting between the Badgers and Buckeyes in the national championship game, a stretch that Wisconsin has won 3-1.
Wisconsin jumped out to an early lead on 1st period goals by Kelly Gorbatenko and Laney Potter. Despite the two goal lead, it was Ohio State who controlled possession for much of the 1st and 2nd periods. The typically dominant Wisconsin power play was held off the board despite numerous opportunities.
In lieu of a dominant offensive showing, the Badgers leaned heavily on goaltender Ava McNaughton who held the Buckeyes off the board for the first 2 periods.
Ohio State came charging out of the 2nd intermission, scoring a pair of goals by Kassidy Carmichael and Jocelyn Amos in 2:02 to tie the game.
With 6:18 left in the contest, Claire Enright took a pass from Marianne Picard off the right wall and in on net. Her shot deflected off the left post and in to give Wisconsin a lead they would not relinquish.
McNaughton earned Most Outstanding Player honors for her performance, stopping 34 of 36 shots to seal the win.
The championship marks back-to-back for the Badgers. They have now won nine titles in program history, the most of any women’s hockey program.
The game also marks the final contest for Wisconsin’s standout senior class that included Olympians Caroline Harvey, Laila Edwards, and Kirsten Simms. That group graduates as the winningest 4-year group in program history.
Copyright 2026 WEAU. All rights reserved.