NCAA Women’s Power Rankings: Excitement gearing up towards more WCHA action
We saw some more entertaining games around college hockey last weekend, but the story remains the same – Wisconsin, Ohio State and Minnesota are the teams to beat.
Sure, a couple of teams tried to give them a run for their money, but it’s difficult to slow down rosters that are filled with so much international and future PWHL stars.
Let’s take a look and see where the top dogs are this week in my top 10:
1. Wisconsin
Record: 6-0-0
Last Week: 1st
The Badgers saw themselves play a couple of tough games against Minnesota Duluth last week, and the anticipated WCHA battle certainly lived up to its billing. It looked like the Bulldogs were going to pull out an upset on Saturday, but Wisconsin took advantage of a major power play, with Caroline Harvey and Cassie Hall scoring in the final minute to give Wisconsin a 4-3 win. The Badgers left little doubt on Sunday, with Havey adding another three points, and Ava McNaughton making 22 saves in a 4-0 win.
There is some concern over Laila Edwards, who was injured during Saturday’s game and was seen on crutches on Sunday. However, head coach Mark Johnson stated that it doesn’t seem to be a serious injury for Edwards, but that she’ll “miss some time for us.”
The Badgers now head to New York this week for the Icebreaker Tournament, hosted by Union. Wisconsin will face Vermont on Friday, and either Union or Saint Anselm on Saturday.
2. Ohio State
Record: 4-0-0
Last Week: 2nd
The fact that the Buckeyes didn’t put 20 goals up on Bemidji State this past weekend was beyond me. Ohio State hounded the Beavers’ goaltending across the two games, outshooting its opponent 94-19. Yet, after running away with a 6-0 win last Friday, the Buckeyes struggled to beat BSU’s Ava Mills on Saturday, leading to only a 2-1 victory. Jocelyn Amos scored twice in the win on Friday, while rookie Hilda Svensson chimed in on both of OSU’s goals on Saturday.
It was another instance where the Buckeyes managed to assert their dominance. It might be a little bit tougher to do that this weekend when they visit…
3. Minnesota
Record: 6-0-0
Last Week: 3rd
Similar to Wisconsin, Minnesota was involved in a couple of conference games that ended up being closer than they could have. In a home-and-home against St. Cloud State, the Golden Gophers required three unanswered goals in the latter half of the game to pull out a 4-1 win, before hanging on for a 5-3 victory in a back-and-forth game on Saturday. Abbey Murphy led Minnesota with three goals in the two games, while Sarah Paul posted five points. It was a needed early-season test for the Gophers, who still have work to do to be considered a favorite to win the WCHA.
The Gophers will play host to the Buckeyes in Minneapolis this Saturday and Sunday.
4. Minnesota Duluth
Record: 4-2-0
Last Week: 5th
The way the Bulldogs battled this past weekend, you have to think they’re going to find a way to knock off one of the Big Three at some point this season. Caitlina Kraemer and Molly Cole’s goals in the third on Saturday seemingly placed a win on Duluth’s platter. However, Rae Mayer’s controversial major for elbowing gave Wisconsin the opening it needed to stage a comeback. Eve Gascon did everything she could to provide UMD with a chance, making 95 saves over the two games.
Duluth continues WCHA action this weekend back home against Minnesota State.
5. Penn State
Record: 6-0-0
Last Week: 6th
Let’s move a little more East, eh? I know everyone continues to knock Penn State’s strength of schedule, but say what you want, the team has done what it needs to do. Win. After a tight weekend set on the road against Vermont, the Nittany Lions opened up AHA play against upstart Delaware, and made little mistake in starting their conference schedule strong. PSU outscored the Blue Hens 12-0 in the two-game set, even with captain Tessa Janecke not in the lineup. Grave Outwater potted a hat trick last Friday, while Matilde Fantin and Danica Maynard each had four points in the 7-0 victory in the second game of the weekend.
Penn State plays arguably the second-best team in the AHA, Mercyhurst, at Pegula this weekend.
6. Cornell
Record: 0-0-0
Last Week: 4th
Don’t worry, folks, Cornell is finally going to be playing some hockey this weekend.
I think this Big Red team has the makings of being a top-five team in college hockey. Head coach Doug Derraugh has a system that led to an ECAC Championship last season, and though he lost a number of talented players, a strong young core, headlined by goaltender Annelies Bergmann, should help Cornell be near the top of the conference and national polls.
The Big Red will be hosting Boston College to open their 2025-26 campaign this weekend.
7. Quinnipiac
Record: 6-0-0
Last Week: 7th
Shame on me for sleeping at Quinnipiac so early in the season. The way the Bobcats have started out, it might be them challenging Cornell for the ECAC title this year. They showed they can play in different environments already this season, and perform well. After sweeping Providence, Quinnipiac hit the road against Syracuse and put forth two strong efforts. The star of the weekend was Kahlen Lamarche, who totaled four goals and five points in the two-game sweep. Sophomore Felicia Frank was solid between the pipes, giving up just one goal on 48 shots.
The Bobcats face their first big test at home this weekend, facing undefeated Northeastern on Friday and Saturday.
8. Colgate
Record: 2-2-0
Last Week: 8th
After getting their lunch handed to them by Ohio State to begin the new season, the Raiders certainly had their hands full against Boston University last week. Both games seemingly went down to the wire, with Colgate needing an empty-net goal to clinch a 3-1 win on Friday, before Alexis Petford’s third-period tally helped the team to a 4-3 win on Saturday. Emma Pais ended up with four goals on the weekend, while sophomore Alexia Aubin assisted on five of the team’s seven goals.
There’s no question that there are some holes the Raiders have after losing so many great players over the past couple of seasons, but the talent is there to compete in the ECAC. Colgate faces another Hockey East foe this weekend, heading up to Orono for a pair of matchups with Maine.
9. St. Cloud State
Record: 3-3-0
Last Week: 10th
I might be a little bullish to push a team up in my rankings after getting swept, but I really liked how the Huskies battled against the Gophers. Sure, they were outplayed, but St. Cloud State showed that fight that led to wins over Minnesota and ties with both Wisconsin and Ohio State last season. Maria Mikaelyan stood for SCSU last weekend, potting two goals and three points over the weekend series against the Gophers.
The Huskies have a good chance to get back in the win column this weekend with a couple of home games against St. Thomas.
10. Clarkson
Record: 2-2-0
Last Week: 9th
The Golden Knights were off last week after a hard-fought split against Connecticut, giving them a chance to recover before diving into the meat of their schedule. With a retooled team, there’s something there that can make Clarkson a serious contender in the ECAC, especially with an experienced netminder in Holly Gruber. Where the team will find scoring is the biggest question heading forward.
Clarkson is set for a couple of games against Providence this weekend before beginning conference play next week.
Honorable mention: Northeastern (4-0-0), Connecticut (2-2-0), St. Thomas (4-1-0), St. Lawrence (1-4-0)