robertearle
Well-known member
With a ninth championship (!) in the books, and seniors graduating next week, it's time to start looking forward to the 2026-27 season.
The extraordinarily successful graduating class includes Patty Kaz winner KK Harvey, Laila Edwards, Kirsten Simms, Vivian Jungels, Marianne Picard, Chloe Baker - all three-time NCAA champions - along with two-time winner Mikayla Zilisch; two-time winner Grace Bickett departs via the transfer portal.
And of course, the only DI women's player to ever win FOUR national championships, Lacey Eden.
Returning for the senior year (but maybe not their final year!) are forwards Kelly Gorbatenko, Cassie Hall, Claire Enright (we think?), but maybe not Bella Vasseur (we think?), and defenders Ava Murphy and Laney Potter, and goalie Ava McNaughton.
Returning juniors are Finley McCarthy, Hannah Halvorson and Maggie Scannell, and defender Emma Vanusio.
Returning sophomores are Adela Sapovalivova and Charlotte Pieckenhagen, defender Mackenzie Jones, and goalie Rhyan Stewart.
The rather large incoming freshmen class (including the redshirt Gorbatenkos) consists of forwards Haley Box, Maddy Kimbrel, Nela Lopasanova, Rosalie Tremblay, and Nicole Gorbatenko; defenders Shayla Beaudette, Emma Cerruti and Rachel Gorbatenko; and goalie Kayla Swartout.
The percentages of 'scoring lost' for the Badgers isn't as bad as I thought it would be, but it's still considerable: 55% of goals scored returning, 45% lost to graduation.
Still, the coming year will be the reverse of last year, with Wisconsin more dependent on their freshman class while Ohio State will be the 'experienced' team. I think that makes Ohio the favorites, but not by all that big a margin. I can't wait to see how it plays out!
(Apologies for any typos or mis-spellings, etc. Corrections are always welcomed.)
The extraordinarily successful graduating class includes Patty Kaz winner KK Harvey, Laila Edwards, Kirsten Simms, Vivian Jungels, Marianne Picard, Chloe Baker - all three-time NCAA champions - along with two-time winner Mikayla Zilisch; two-time winner Grace Bickett departs via the transfer portal.
And of course, the only DI women's player to ever win FOUR national championships, Lacey Eden.
Returning for the senior year (but maybe not their final year!) are forwards Kelly Gorbatenko, Cassie Hall, Claire Enright (we think?), but maybe not Bella Vasseur (we think?), and defenders Ava Murphy and Laney Potter, and goalie Ava McNaughton.
Returning juniors are Finley McCarthy, Hannah Halvorson and Maggie Scannell, and defender Emma Vanusio.
Returning sophomores are Adela Sapovalivova and Charlotte Pieckenhagen, defender Mackenzie Jones, and goalie Rhyan Stewart.
The rather large incoming freshmen class (including the redshirt Gorbatenkos) consists of forwards Haley Box, Maddy Kimbrel, Nela Lopasanova, Rosalie Tremblay, and Nicole Gorbatenko; defenders Shayla Beaudette, Emma Cerruti and Rachel Gorbatenko; and goalie Kayla Swartout.
The percentages of 'scoring lost' for the Badgers isn't as bad as I thought it would be, but it's still considerable: 55% of goals scored returning, 45% lost to graduation.
Still, the coming year will be the reverse of last year, with Wisconsin more dependent on their freshman class while Ohio State will be the 'experienced' team. I think that makes Ohio the favorites, but not by all that big a margin. I can't wait to see how it plays out!
(Apologies for any typos or mis-spellings, etc. Corrections are always welcomed.)
