Wisconsin edges Ohio State for Badgers' 9th NCAA women's hockey title

Wisconsin got the win that mattered.

The Badgers beat Ohio State 3-2 on Sunday, March 22, to win their second consecutive NCAA women's hockey championship and avenge their loss to the Buckeyes in the WCHA championship earlier this month. Claire Enright scored the game-winner with 13:42 left after Ohio State had evened the game up with two goals in two minutes at the start of the third period. Wisconsin goaltender Ava McNaughton made 34 saves.

"It’s been just quite the ride, and I'm trying to enjoy every moment," said Caroline Harvey, who adds the national title to her Olympic gold medal, MVP of the Olympic tournament and Patty Kazmaier Award as the best player in college hockey this season.

"I'm so proud of my team," Harvey added. "We came together when it all mattered, and I couldn’t be more proud of this group."

It's Wisconsin's fifth NCAA title since 2019 and its ninth overall. Minnesota has the next-most titles, with six.

"It’s never easy," longtime Badgers coach Mark Johnson said. "We’ll take this one. It’ll take a while to process it, but we’ll take the trophy."

Wisconsin-Ohio State has developed into the best rivalry in college hockey. This was the fourth consecutive year the Badgers and Buckeyes have played for the national title, with Wisconsin also winning last year and in 2023 and Ohio State winning in 2024.

There was little doubt it was going to come down to the two once again.

Wisconsin had been the No. 1 team for most of the season despite losing Harvey, McNaughton, Laila Edwards and Kirsten Simms for the Olympics. But Ohio State upset the Badgers in the WCHA title game, which made the Buckeyes the No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.

Though Wisconsin had a 2-0 lead after the first two periods, the Buckeyes weren't about to concede anything.

"We’re the better team and they know it," Joy Dunne said before the final period began.

Ohio State was quick to make a game of it, with Kassidy Carmichael and Jocelyn Amos scoring in a 2-minute span to tie the game up 5:34 into the final period. That seemed to energize Wisconsin, however. Harvey had a dangerous shot that Buckeyes goaltender Hailey MacLeod blocked with her pad.

But shortly after, Enright jumped on a loose puck and put it past MacLeod for the game-winner. It was only Enright's ninth goal of the season.

"I don't score many goals," Enright said, "but it feels amazing."

Ohio State made a furious press to even it one last time, including a scrum in front of the Wisconsin goal with a minute to play. But the Badgers hung on, beating the Buckeyes when it mattered most.

"We’re excited, we’re happy and we're glad to take the trophy back to Madtown," Johnson said.

See Wisconsin's title-winning goal

Here's a look at Claire Enright's goal that won Wisconsin the NCAA title for a second consecutive year.

Wisconsin wins NCAA title for second consecutive year

Wisconsin is NCAA champion once again.

Claire Enright's goal 13:42 into the final period gave Wisconsin a 3-2 win over archrival Ohio State, and the Badgers hung on to win their second consecutive NCAA title. It's the ninth title overall for the Badgers and a fitting end for their senior class that includes Caroline Harvey, Laila Edwards and Kirsten Simms.

"I don't score many goals," said Enright, who'd only had eight goals this season, "but it feels amazing."

Deja vu in final seconds

There was a scrum in front of Wisconsin's goal in the final minute, reminiscent of last year's NCAA title game.

Rules prevent anyone besides the goaltender from covering the puck in the crease. Ohio State was called for that infraction last year, and Wisconsin was able to tie the game on a penalty before winning in overtime.

Ohio State called for a review, but replays showed Wisconsin goaltender Ava McNaughton was the only one to put her glove on the puck.

Wisconsin re-takes lead

Wisconsin re-took the lead 13:42 into the third period on a goal from Claire Enright. Will a 3-2 lead be enough?

Wisconsin has seemed to have more energy since Ohio State tied it up. Buckeyes goalkeeper Hailey MacLeod might have had the save of the game, blocking a shot from close range by Olympic MVP and Patty Kazmaier Award winner Caroline Harvey with her pad about. But a minute later, Enright bat MacLeod to put the Badgers in front once again.

Watch Jocelyn Amos' goal

Watch Jocelyn Amos' goal to tie the game at 2.

Ohio State ties the game

Ohio State got its second goal in just over 2 minutes to tie the game up six-plus minutes into the third period.

Wisconsin goaltender Ava McNaughton had been phenomenal through the first two periods but the Buckeyes seemed to have figured her out. First it was Kassidy Carmichael, now it's Jocelyn Amos to score in quick success to tie the game at 2 with 16:28 left in the game.

Ohio State scores, pulls within 2-1

We have a game now.

Kassidy Carmichael scored 3½ minutes into the final period, cutting Wisconsin's lead to 2-1. It's Carmichael's 10th goal of the year.

Wisconsin might rue its power play-struggles to open the period. The Badgers had three shots on goal during their one-player advantage and couldn't convert any of them.

Wisconsin in control going into final period

Wisconsin is 20 minutes away from a second consecutive NCAA title.

The defending champion Badgers hold a 2-0 lead after the first two periods. Kelly Gorbatenko has a goal and assist for second-seeded Wisconsin, Laney Potter has a goal and Ava McNaughton has made 23 saves.

Wisconsin and Ohio State has become the best rivalry in college hockey, with the teams meeting in the NCAA title game for a fourth consecutive season. And emotions are high, with Ohio State's Joy Dunne having some strong words ahead of the third period.

"We’re the better team," Ohio State's Joy Dunne said, "and they know it."

The Buckeyes have 20 minutes left to prove it.

When and where is the NCAA title game?

The NCAA championship game is at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 22. It will be played at Pegula Ice Arena on the Penn State campus.

How to watch the NCAA title game

The NCAA hockey championship game will air on ESPNU.

How to stream the NCAA title game

The Frozen Four games will be streamed on ESPN+. 

Who is playing in the NCAA title game?

Ohio State and Wisconsin, and it's going to be a doozy. The Badgers were the No. 1 team in the country for most of the season until the Buckeyes upset them in the WCHA title game. Now Wisconsin gets a chance to avenge that loss with a national title on the line.

The teams have met in the last three NCAA title games, with Wisconsin winning last year and in 2023 and Ohio State winning in 2024.

Players to watch

Wisconsin is led by Caroline Harvey, who added the Patty Kazmaier Award for college hockey's best player to her MVP award from the Milano Cortina Olympics. The Badgers also have Olympic gold medalists Laila Edwards, Ava McNaughton and Simms.

In addition to Olympian Joy Dunne, Ohio State has the country's best freshman, Hilda Svensson.