NCAA Women’s Power Rankings: St. Cloud State gives Wisconsin a run for its money
The WCHA was back in full force last week, and it led to many exciting matchups out west.
One of the surprising results came in the State of Hockey, as St. Cloud State didn’t make things easy on top-ranked Wisconsin. Though the Badgers won both games, they couldn’t secure the full six points against the Huskies.
There were plenty of other intriguing games across the NCAA last week, leading to some movement in this week’s power rankings.
Let’s see who managed to crack the top 10:
1. Wisconsin
Record: 12-1-1
Last Week: 1st
It’s hard to say the Badgers had an “off” weekend since they didn’t win both games (in the eyes of the NCAA). They outshot St. Cloud State in both games, including putting 56 pucks on net in the game on Saturday, and put up nine goals. Going up to northern Minnesota can be a tough trip for some teams, so even though Wisconsin couldn’t win both games in regulation, it was a solid weekend. Kirsten Simms led the Badgers with five points, with Caroline Harvey and Laila Edwards each chiming in with four.
Wisconsin is back in Madison this weekend for a pair of games against St. Thomas.
2. Minnesota
Record: 12-2-0
Last Week: 2nd
The Golden Gophers put forth an impressive showing last week against Bemidji State, outscoring the Beavers 15-4 in a two-game sweep. I will say, seeing Abbey Murphy score just one goal in the onslaught was surprising, but it gave her teammates some space to shine. Bella Fanale scored twice in a 9-2 victory on Saturday, picking up four points on the weekend, while Jamie Nelson, Emma Kreisz and Sydney Morrow all found the back of the net twice against the Beavers.
The Gophers stay in Minnesota this weekend, getting set for a home-and-home against Minnesota State.
3. Ohio State
Record: 11-1-0
Last Week: 3rd
Psst….come here. I want to run something by you – Hilda Svensson for the Patty Kaz.
I know, I know. The season is still young, the committee usually favors veterans, but you can’t tell me what the freshman is doing isn’t impressive. Sure, she doesn’t have the scoring prowess that Murphy and Kahlen Lamarche have shown early on, but how Svensson has stood out on a national championship-caliber team is exceptional. After scoring twice against Minnesota State last Saturday, after putting up three assists the night before, the Swedish scorer sits fourth in the NCAA with 23 points. Her efforts helped Ohio State to sweep the Mavericks, outscoring Mankato 12-5.
The Buckeyes get set for an intriguing series this weekend with Minnesota Duluth.
4. Penn State
Record: 14-0-0
Last Week: 4th
When I think of Penn State and their schedule, I think the team’s mentality is like Dory from Finding Nemo. Just keep winning, just keep winning.
Playing in Atlantic Hockey America, the Nittany Lions aren’t looked at as highly upon thanks to the lack of depth in the conference. So, in order to keep themselves in line for a good seed in the national tournament, they need to just keep winning. They did that and then some last weekend, beating up Syracuse in Hockey Valley, sweeping the Orange by a combined score of 18-2. Katelyn Roberts scored three goals and six points on the weekend, while Maddy Christian and Tessa Janecke both potted a couple of goals in the victories.
The Nittany Lions are on the road this week, facing RIT on Friday and Saturday.
5. Minnesota Duluth
Record: 10-4-0
Last Week: 6th
Since being swept by the Gophers last month, the Bulldogs have rallied to win four straight games, finding their rhythm thanks to sweeps over St. Cloud State and St. Thomas, maintaining their status as the fourth-best team in the WCHA. Junior Grace Sadura had a solid performance last weekend, scoring twice against the Tommies, and was credited with the game-winner on Friday. Eve Gascon was clutch between the pipes, stopping 68 of the 71 shots she faced over the two games in St. Paul.
Duluth has a chance to prove itself this weekend, as the team’s back home for a marquee matchup with Ohio State.
6. Cornell
Record: 8-1-0
Last Week: 5th
Cornell’s lack of offensive star power came to the forefront last weekend against rival Colgate. They were heavily outshot last Friday, and despite Annelies Bergmann’s brilliance, still lost 3-0. It was looking like a similar story on Saturday, but the Big Red managed to erase a 3-1 lead, with Karel Prefontaine’s overtime winner helping Cornell salvage a split. Friday was one of those games where you could see how the Big Red’s lack of scoring threats could cost them in big games later this year.
Cornell has a couple more ECAC games this weekend, facing Union on Friday before meeting with RPI on Saturday, both on the road.
7. Quinnipiac
Record: 12-1-1
Last Week: 7th
The Bobcats were off last week, giving them a chance to rest up before a heavy stretch of games heading into the holidays. Led by the previously mentioned Lamarche, Quinnipiac looks like a squad that has an honest shot to win the ECAC this season. With their offensive attack and an exceptional netminder in Felicia Frank, the Bobcats are an exciting team to watch.
Quinnipiac is set for a home-and-home against Princeton on Thursday and Saturday.
8. Northeastern
Record: 10-2-0
Last Week: 8th
Since being swept by the Bobcats last month, the Huskies are on a roll. Three weekends, three sweeps of Hockey East competition. The team has used a healthy mix of goaltending and offense to take care of its opponents, including a comfortable sweep of Merrimack last weekend. Stryker Zablocki had another exceptional effort on Friday, posting her first career hat trick, while Lily Shannon totaled three points over the weekend.
The Huskies head up to Orono this weekend for a pair of matchups with Maine.
9. Connecticut
Record: 8-3-1
Last Week: 9th
Not quite sure what to think of these Huskies right now. Sure, they have the talent to win the Hockey East title again, but how the team has played over the last couple of months leaves more to be desired. None more so than last weekend against Boston College. Their lack of finish resulted in a 2-1 loss on home ice to the bumbling Eagles. You have to appreciate how they’ve rarely played down to their competition, but UConn needs to find that extra gear if they want to be favorites to win the league.
The Huskies have a couple of home games this weekend against Vermont.
10. St. Cloud State
Record: 4-9-1
Last Week: NR
I’ll admit, I’ve been pretty hard on the Huskies over the past few weeks, but how they battled against a far superior lineup shows that this team has bite (no pun intended) that makes them a tough out in the WCHA. Even after a tough 5-1 loss last Friday, SCSU kept up with Wisconsin in game two of the weekend, with Maria Mikaelyan helping force extra time. While the Huskies only came away with a point in the shootout loss, the effort the Huskies gave could give the team some life in the near future.
St. Cloud State gets set for an in-state rival, Bemidji State, on the road this weekend.
Honorable mention: Yale (6-3-0), Brown (7-2-1), Clarkson (7-5-1), Colgate (6-7-1)