The 2025 NCAA women’s hockey tournament national championship game is set, featuring a familiar rematch.
Top seeds Wisconsin and Ohio State will compete for the title for the third year in a row. These two teams have dominated the national championships for the past four seasons, with Wisconsin winning in 2023 and 2021, and Ohio State in 2024 and 2022.
Wisconsin, the top-ranked team, entered the tournament with an impressive 35-1-2 record. Their only loss was a narrow defeat by Ohio State in November. The Badgers defeated No. 4 seed Minnesota 6-2 in the semifinals, while defending champion Ohio State won against Cornell 4-2.
The championship game will be held on Saturday at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis at 4 p.m. ET and broadcast on ESPNU and ESPN+.
ESPN hockey analyst Paige Capistran provides insights with key points and players to watch for each finalist. Below is the tournament schedule, updated with results.
Every game of the NCAA women’s hockey tournament, including the Frozen Four, is streaming on ESPN+.
Schedule
All times Eastern
FROZEN FOUR
Ridder Arena, Minneapolis
Semifinals, March 21
Ohio State 4, Cornell 2
Wisconsin 6, Minnesota 2
Final, March 23
Ohio State vs. Wisconsin, 4 p.m., ESPNU/ESPN+
REGIONALS
First round, March 13
Minnesota Duluth 6, Sacred Heart 1
St. Lawrence 4, Penn State 1
Clarkson 3, Boston University 1
Finals, March 15
No. 1 Wisconsin 4, Clarkson 1
No. 4 Minnesota 3, No. 5 Colgate 2
No. 3 Cornell 1, Minnesota Duluth 0
No. 2 Ohio State 6, St. Lawrence 1
Frozen Four preview
How Wisconsin can win the title
Dictate the pace: Wisconsin needs to control the game’s tempo from the beginning. If they do, their team depth will be a major advantage. Against Minnesota, despite an early 1-0 deficit, Wisconsin quickly responded with three goals and maintained control.
Capitalize on power plays: Wisconsin’s power play is the best in the nation and could be decisive. Laila Edwards scored shorthanded against Minnesota, and Casey O’Brien scored during a four-on-four situation.
Player to watch: Casey O’Brien, a fifth-year forward, is averaging 2.18 points per game and is a key player. She had a goal and two assists against Minnesota.
How Ohio State can win the title
Maintain their identity: The Buckeyes should continue their aggressive, physical style of play. Their ability to limit opponents’ time and space is crucial for their success.
Play as a unified team: Teamwork is essential for Ohio State. In their semifinal victory over Cornell, seven different players scored points.
Player to watch: Jocelyn Amos, a sophomore forward, is the team’s top scorer with 27 goals.
Field at a glance
(Statistics before NCAA tournament)
Wisconsin (35-1-2)
PairWise ranking: 1
Tournament Entry: WCHA tournament champion
Key Stats: Wisconsin’s only regulation loss this season was against Ohio State on Nov. 16. They are the top-scoring team nationally (5.45 goals per game) and have the top three scorers: Casey O’Brien (25 goals, 58 assists), Laila Edwards (30 goals, 35 assists), and Kirsten Simms (22 goals, 43 assists). Wisconsin also leads in scoring defense (1.11 goals per game). They have won seven national titles, including 2023 and 2021, and were runners-up to Ohio State in 2024.
Analyst Take: Paige Capistran notes Wisconsin is the top team in the NCAA this season. Co-captains O’Brien and Caroline Harvey lead a deep roster. Goalie Ava McNaughton (.947 save percentage) is a finalist for national Goalie of the Year. Wisconsin excels in power play and penalty kill. Despite being the favorite, their strong performance is undeniable.
Ohio State (27-7-3)
PairWise ranking: 2
Tournament Entry: At-large bid (WCHA)
Key Stats: Ohio State has won two of the last three national titles, including defeating Wisconsin 1-0 last season. Before losing to Minnesota in the WCHA semifinals, they were 14-1 in their last 15 games. They are second nationally in scoring offense (3.84 goals per game). Jocelyn Amos is tied for fourth in the NCAA with 26 goals and excels in faceoffs (68% win rate).
Analyst Take: Capistran describes Ohio State as aggressive and physical. After a WCHA semifinal upset by Minnesota, they are expected to be highly motivated. Repeating as national champions is challenging, but Ohio State has the capability. Joy Dunne leads with 54 points and is a Patty Kazmaier top 10 finalist.
Cornell (24-4-5)
PairWise ranking: 3
Tournament Entry: ECAC champion
Key Stats: Annelies Bergmann has nine shutouts, tied for the NCAA lead, and is fourth in goals-against average (1.32). Cornell has balanced scoring, with 12 players scoring double-digit points, led by Avi Adam (10 goals, 18 assists). This is their 10th NCAA appearance; they lost to Colgate in last year’s quarterfinals.
Analyst Take: Capistran highlights Bergmann, ECAC Goalie of the Year and a national Goalie of the Year finalist, as a key player for ECAC champion Cornell. Their offensive depth is a strength, and their special teams are performing well at the right time.
Minnesota (28-11-1)
PairWise ranking: 4
Tournament Entry: At-large bid (WCHA)
Key Stats: Minnesota has six national titles, last in 2016. They are second in goals scored (148) but 23rd in scoring defense (2.40 goals per game). Abbey Murphy leads the nation with 30 goals and seven game-winners. Against Ohio State and Wisconsin, they were 1-6-1, but 26-4 against other teams, and they defeated Ohio State in the WCHA semifinals.
Analyst Take: Capistran mentions the advantage of playing the Frozen Four at home in Ridder Arena. Minnesota’s WCHA tournament performance, including upsetting Ohio State, shows their potential. Fifth-year forward Murphy’s leadership and Coach Brad Frost’s emphasis on toughness are crucial.
Colgate (30-8-0)
PairWise ranking: 5
Tournament Entry: At-large bid (ECAC)
Key Stats: Colgate is 12-4 against ranked teams this season. They are fourth in scoring (3.63 goals per game) and power play percentage (.286). Hannah Murphy is ninth nationally with a .940 save percentage. Her 26 wins are a program record for a goalie. This is their fifth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance. They lost to Wisconsin in last year’s semifinals.
Analyst Take: Capistran highlights the blend of youth and leadership in Colgate’s success. Senior goalie Murphy is a leader and top player. Kristýna Kaltounková is an offensive force and Patty Kaz finalist (26 goals, 22 assists). Despite losing six players to the PHWL, underclassmen have stepped up.
Minnesota Duluth (21-14-2)
PairWise ranking: 6
Tournament Entry: At-large bid (WCHA)
Key Stats: This is Minnesota Duluth’s 15th NCAA appearance, fifth in a row. They have five national titles and nine Frozen Four appearances, most recently in 2022. Eve Gascon is seventh nationally in save percentage (.942). They have allowed three or fewer goals in 29 of their last 31 games. They have played close games against top teams like Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Analyst Take: Capistran emphasizes Goalie of the Year finalist Eve Gascon for Minnesota Duluth. Freshman Caitlin Kraemer, WCHA Rookie of the Year, has also been impactful with 29 points.
Penn State (31-5-1)
PairWise ranking: 7
Tournament Entry: Atlantic Hockey champion
Key Stats: Katie DeSa has nine shutouts, tied for the national lead, and is fifth in goals-against average (1.36). Penn State is sixth in scoring (3.62 goals per game). Tessa Janecke is a top player nationally in goals and points per game and leads in faceoff wins with 604.
Analyst Take: Capistran notes Penn State’s third consecutive AHA championship and program win record. They aim to advance past the first round of the NCAA tournament for the first time. Captain Janecke, a Patty Kaz finalist, is a key player.
Clarkson (24-12-2)
PairWise ranking: 8
Tournament Entry: At-large bid (ECAC)
Key Stats: Clarkson has three national championships, last in 2018, and reached the Frozen Four last season. They are second in power-play percentage (.330). With 3.47 goals per game, they have 13 players with double-digit points, led by Haley Winn (14 goals, 31 assists). They had a close ECAC tournament, losing in triple overtime in the semis to Cornell.
Analyst Take: Capistran suggests Clarkson will use their triple overtime loss as motivation. With Frozen Four experience, they know what it takes to reach Ridder Arena. Co-captains Winn and Nicole Gosling are key leaders. Winn is a Patty Kaz top 10 defender.
St. Lawrence (21-11-5)
PairWise ranking: 9
Tournament Entry: At-large bid (ECAC)
Key Stats: St. Lawrence is in the NCAA field for the second straight year after a six-year gap. They are 5-2 since Feb. 1. Goaltender Emma Sofie-Nordstrom has over 800 saves (.935 percentage). Taylor Lum has five game-winning goals.
Analyst Take: Capistran notes St. Lawrence’s quarterfinal appearance last year. Senior Abby Hustler leads the team with 37 points.
Boston University (24-11-2)
PairWise ranking: 11
Tournament Entry: Hockey East champion
Key Stats: BU won their sixth Hockey East title, first since 2015, and their 24 wins are their most since 2020. They have the second-best penalty kill percentage nationally (.897). Seventeen players have scored goals, with six scoring eight or more.
Analyst Take: Capistran highlights BU’s ability to win in critical moments, coming from behind in all three postseason games, including the Hockey East final. Sydney Healey, tournament MVP, scored the winning goal against Northeastern.
Sacred Heart (21-14-3)
PairWise ranking: 27
Tournament Entry: NEWHA champion
Key Stats: Sacred Heart is making their first NCAA appearance in 22 years under Tom O’Malley. They won the NEWHA tournament for the second time. Carly Greene leads the nation with a .959 save percentage and made 145 saves in the tournament.
Analyst Take: Capistran emphasizes the significance of Sacred Heart’s NCAA entry after defeating Long Island. Coach O’Malley highlighted the program’s achievement. Grayson Limke scored the winning goal, and Isabella Chaput leads the team in points.
