River Falls, Wisconsin–The University of Wisconsin-River Falls defeated Adrian College (Mich.) 3-2 in the national semifinals of the NCAA Division III Women's Ice Hockey Championship on March 15 at Hunt Arena.
The Falcons (30-0) advance to the national championship game and will play Elmira College (N.Y.) (23-7-1) on March 17. Puck drop is at 3 p.m. at Hunt Arena. This will be the first appearance in a national title contest by a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference program since the 2016 UW-River Falls meet.
With its victory over Adrian (28-3), Cal State River Falls set an NCAA Division III women's ice hockey record for most wins in a single season. The Falcons trailed 2-1 after 40 minutes, but scored twice in the third period.
Adrian scored the first goal just over 15 minutes into the first period, but Madison LaVergne scored just eight seconds later to tie the score at 1-1 and stay that way after the first period. The Bulldogs added a late goal at midfield and held a one-point lead going into the final 20 minutes.
The Falcons outscored the Bulldogs 32-15 through two periods, but Adrian played solid defense and held UC River Falls scoreless with two power plays.
Moments into the third period, Maddie McCollins, Cal State River Falls' leading scorer and the 2023-24 Laura Hurd National Player of the Year, tied the game with a wrist shot that went wide. Then, late in regulation, Bailey Olson tucked a shot just outside the crease for the game-winner.
Jordan O'Connor made 22 saves for his 22nd win of the season.
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