River Falls, Wisconsin–The University of Wisconsin-River Falls won its first NCAA Division III women's ice hockey championship with a 4-1 victory over Elmira College (N.Y.) on March 17 at Hunt Arena.
This is also the first women's ice hockey national title won by a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) program. Since the 1982-1983 school year, WIAC schools have won a total of 126 NCAA Division III team championships.
Wisconsin State River Falls (31-0) set an NCAA Division III record with 31 wins this season. Against Elmira (23 wins, 8 losses, 1 draw), the game was tied 1-1 heading into the final 20 minutes of regulation. The University of Washington River Falls took the lead with Kenzie Dunn's goal less than seven minutes into the third period, and the Falcons rode that wave to score two more points and shut out the Soaring Eagles in the final period to seal the victory. .
After a scoreless first period, the Falcons took a 5-minute major penalty just over 5 minutes into the second period and capitalized on Makenna Ole's wrist shot goal for a 1-0 victory over Wisconsin State River Falls. gave the lead. But less than two minutes later, Elmira scored to tie the score at 1-1 heading into the third period.
Riding the momentum of a 3-for-5 penalty kill, Kenzie Dunn coasted from coast to coast, scoring five holes and giving the Falcons their first lead of the game just under seven minutes into the game. Moments later, Madison Lavergne extended the lead by deflecting a shot from Caitlin Long, giving the home team a 3-1 lead with 12 minutes left in regulation time. Wisconsin State River Falls scored three points in the opening 12 minutes with Alex Hange's goal, and the Falcon defense remained strong until the end.
Jordan O'Connor made 16 saves in the win, finishing the season with a 23-0 record and tying UW-River Falls' record for most wins in a single season by a goaltender.
Maddie McCollins, Madison LaVergne and Makenna Ole were named to the all-tournament team, with McCollins receiving the Most Valuable Player Award.
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