Slovakia’s Nela Lopusanova ties Women’s U-18 World Championship’s all-time scoring record
A rising star in women’s hockey has put her name alongside one of the best.
On Thursday, Slovakia forward Nela Lopušanová scored the 33rd point of her IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship career, tying Kendall Coyne Schofield’s record for the most points in tournament history.
The historic point came during the team’s quarterfinal matchup against Sweden in Sydney, N.S., as Lopušanová scored her sixth goal of the tournament.
Nela doing Nela things 👌 #WomensWorlds #IIHF @hockeyslovakia
It was also the Slovakian captain’s 22nd goal of her U-18 Worlds career, tying Coyne for the most all-time. Slovakia ended up losing 7-2, with Lopušanová coming one goal and point short from setting herself above the rest. Barring any substantial upset in the other quarterfinal games, Thursday marks her last game in the event.
Lopušanová reached 22 goals and 33 points in 19 games, while Coyne accomplished her feat in 15 games across three tournaments.
Lopušanová burst onto the scene in her first U-18s experience in 2023 at the age of 14. She ended up scoring nine goals and 12 points in just five games, including becoming a viral sensation when she scored a Michigan against Sweden. She was named to the tournament all-star team as well as MVP.
Two years later, she had another incredible performance in Vantaa, Finland last year, scoring five goals and 11 points, earning MVP honors for the second time, even though Lopušanová had to help her team avoid relegation.
The 17-year-old has been considered a prodigy since that amazing debut three years ago, and is the player hopeful to lead a surge in Slovakian women’s hockey. Currently a member of the Bishop Kearney Selects, Lopušanová has developed into a dynamic player who has the tools to excel at the next level. She’s committed to joining the powerhouse program at the University of Wisconsin, continuing to give the program an embarrassment of riches.
Along with her work at the U-18s, Lopušanová has also been a growing part of the senior national team. She helped the Slovaks take home the bronze at the 2025 IIHF D1A Women’s World Championship, and almost single-handedly helped the country qualify for the Winter Olympics. In six qualifying games, she scored 11 goals and seven assists for 18 points, leading all skaters in each category.