The MIAC playoff picture became clearer as Gustavus routes St Scholastica 4-0 punching their playoff ticket. Barring a St. Ben's complete meltdown in their last series, only the 5th spot is open. Bethel now has a one point edge for the 5th spot over St. Olaf who they'll play in a two game series next weekend. St. Olaf stubbing their toe against St. Mary's 3-4 today might come back to haunt them.
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2025-26 Division III Women's Hockey
- Thread starter PrezdeJohnson09
- Start date
Well that was an interesting weekend in the NESCAC.
Middlebury maintains first place with a win and a goal-tender duel 0-0 tie with Williams. Amherst in their home-and-home against bottom ranked Trinity ends with two 1-1 ties. Colby splits their games with 8th ranked Wesleyan.
For this coming up weekend Middlebury hosts Colby and will need at least one clean win to maintain their position in first. Normally I might say "... and hosting of the NESCAC finals..." but given how even the bottom ranked teams are playing this year, not so much.
Amherst, struggling to find points, plays 5th place Hamilton.
Wiliams hosts 6th place Bowdoin.
The really interesting games to watch this weekend will be the Home-and-home series between Wesleyan and Trinity. At the bottom of NESCAC, separated by a point, and on balance will be the 8th spot on the NESCAC tournament. Except Conn has a buy for this weekend, and is only one point ahead of Wesleyan and two ahead of Trinity. Meaning if these two teams split their games they push Conn into the basement and they both get to have extra hockey.
And with last week DIII Women's Brackeology showing 4 NESCAC teams in the tournament this scrambling isn't going to help. If I read this correctly, this now allows the UW-Eau Claire Blue-Golds to take 10th place and the last open slot in the NCAAs. And splitting games in the NESCAC may allow Concordia and Endicott to rise enough to take their place as well.
Middlebury maintains first place with a win and a goal-tender duel 0-0 tie with Williams. Amherst in their home-and-home against bottom ranked Trinity ends with two 1-1 ties. Colby splits their games with 8th ranked Wesleyan.
For this coming up weekend Middlebury hosts Colby and will need at least one clean win to maintain their position in first. Normally I might say "... and hosting of the NESCAC finals..." but given how even the bottom ranked teams are playing this year, not so much.
Amherst, struggling to find points, plays 5th place Hamilton.
Wiliams hosts 6th place Bowdoin.
The really interesting games to watch this weekend will be the Home-and-home series between Wesleyan and Trinity. At the bottom of NESCAC, separated by a point, and on balance will be the 8th spot on the NESCAC tournament. Except Conn has a buy for this weekend, and is only one point ahead of Wesleyan and two ahead of Trinity. Meaning if these two teams split their games they push Conn into the basement and they both get to have extra hockey.
And with last week DIII Women's Brackeology showing 4 NESCAC teams in the tournament this scrambling isn't going to help. If I read this correctly, this now allows the UW-Eau Claire Blue-Golds to take 10th place and the last open slot in the NCAAs. And splitting games in the NESCAC may allow Concordia and Endicott to rise enough to take their place as well.
The only way Concordia WI is getting in is with a win against Adrian in the NCHA Chip, loser will drop too much in the ratings. That conference is currently a wreck, one is enough. If Eau Claire pulls off another win against UWRF in their next two matchups, I'd say they're worthy of getting in. That's the highest probability of another West team bumping up in the ratings. While teams can possibly upset Augsburg or Hamline in the MIAC playoffs, to upset both would be a hard order.
PrezdeJohnson09
Proud supporter of Osmirwich hockey
Colby finishes with two games at Middlebury and then has the NESCAC tournament to go. Very easy to see them losing at least two games and I don't think they hold onto that final at-large spot if they lose twice, unless maybe its in the NESCAC final.
I think it's more likely NESCAC finishes with three teams in instead of four. But, we'll see what the games bring.
I do agree that UWEC probably belongs in the field and they'll have their chances to try and do everything they can on their own to get in.
In the MIAC, Bethel easily knocked off St Olaf 5-2. With a win or a regulation tie, Bethel takes the 5 seed in the MIAC playoffs. St. Olaf takes it with a regulation win. The only interesting game besides that one is GAC vs Hamline. Hamline took care of business last night winning 4-2, it was tied up 2-2 until half way through the 3rd. GAC needs a win to ensure the 3 seed and avoid the 4/5 play in game.
UWRF is at UWEC today at 2 today, wrapping up the WIAC regular season play. Based on the first two it should be a fun one to watch! They'll meet one more time in the playoffs before all is done.
Lastly shout out to Hill-Murray going for their second straight MN high school state title tonight vs Centennial! Go Pioneers!
Lot's of future D1 players in this clash. While I'll enjoy the game, I laugh at the advertising and messaging driving the state's "community" format and pride for high school teams.
Community means anyone within a one hour driving distance!
UWRF is at UWEC today at 2 today, wrapping up the WIAC regular season play. Based on the first two it should be a fun one to watch! They'll meet one more time in the playoffs before all is done.
Lastly shout out to Hill-Murray going for their second straight MN high school state title tonight vs Centennial! Go Pioneers!
Lot's of future D1 players in this clash. While I'll enjoy the game, I laugh at the advertising and messaging driving the state's "community" format and pride for high school teams.
Community means anyone within a one hour driving distance!
UWRF beats UWEC handily 6-3, but the game was closer through two. UWRF jumped on them early going up 3-0, then Eau Claire changed momentum by scoring two straight. It looked like we had a game again, but a hooking penalty by Eau Claire right before the end of the second came back to haunt them. UWRF scored on the PP to open the 3rd and scored again minutes later sealing any chance UWEC had. UWRF has them easily from a talent perspective, but UWEC freshman goalie Kambelle Freije has been a solid force in net and they have just enough scoring to be dangerous. Playing from behind against UWRF however is next to impossible.
Gustavus rallied the troops to dominate Hamline 4-1, they've had this upside capability but have been so inconsistent.
Gustavus rallied the troops to dominate Hamline 4-1, they've had this upside capability but have been so inconsistent.
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With St. Ben's win they are the third seed and GAC is fourth. By GAC beating Hamline today Augsburg wins the conference with their own win today. Hamline gets St. Ben's in the Semi-Finals, GAC Hosts Bethel with winner facing Augsburg.
Yes, that was my bad, I thought GAC had CSB on total regulation wins, but it was the other way around for the tie breaker.
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Well the NESCAC is (almost) set, with one game to play this afternoon. With the overtime win by the Mammoths over the Continentals, it will require at least one point to the Mammoth's squad to hold on to second place. The tight fought 0-0 tie going into overtime was a great game to watch. A minute into overtime Amherst scores the lone goal of the game.
Middlebury splits with Colby: A tight fought 3-2 victory by Midd on Friday, and an energized Colby squad effectively trapping Midd in their end for most of the 3rd period and coming away with a 3-1 win.
Trinity / Wesleyan split their games, each winning on their home ice. The win gives Wesleyan 6th place above Bowdoin and Trinity, and dropping Conn College (on a bye week loosing to Salve Regina) out of the tournament.
Middlebury splits with Colby: A tight fought 3-2 victory by Midd on Friday, and an energized Colby squad effectively trapping Midd in their end for most of the 3rd period and coming away with a 3-1 win.
Trinity / Wesleyan split their games, each winning on their home ice. The win gives Wesleyan 6th place above Bowdoin and Trinity, and dropping Conn College (on a bye week loosing to Salve Regina) out of the tournament.
Scott_TG
Well-known member
It's amazing that as good as Oswego's teams and facilities are they don't invest in good SID personnel.
They made a pretty graphic, but the Oswego women have a bye to Saturday and Buff State didn't make the playoffs. Its the men facing Buff State on Wednesday.
They made a pretty graphic, but the Oswego women have a bye to Saturday and Buff State didn't make the playoffs. Its the men facing Buff State on Wednesday.
Attachments
PrezdeJohnson09
Proud supporter of Osmirwich hockey
It's been a revolving door since Michael Bielak was there, and even while he was there, the position was poorly supported in the grand scheme of things.
24 sports, especially with men's hockey, men's basketball, baseball being at the national level and now the women's hockey coming onto the scene is a lot on the plate of one person. It looks like at least now they finally got a GA to help out.
Scott_TG
Well-known member
In SUNYAC quarterfinal action, William Smith beat Canton 3-2 in OT, while Cortland beat Potsdam 4-1. Fanny Aneborn had a hat trick for Cortland with Katie Mahoney assisting on all three goals. For William Smith, Bella Hacker scored the game-tying extra attacker goal with just under 30 seconds remaining in the third and Kelly Howe had the game winner in OT.
SUNYAC semis are William Smith at Plattsburgh and Cortland at Oswego.
Possible championships are:
Oswego at Plattsburgh
Cortland at Plattsburgh
William Smith at Oswego
William Smith at Cortland
SUNYAC semis are William Smith at Plattsburgh and Cortland at Oswego.
Possible championships are:
Oswego at Plattsburgh
Cortland at Plattsburgh
William Smith at Oswego
William Smith at Cortland
Russell Jaslow
Registered User
That was a natural hat trick.
Scott_TG
Well-known member
SUNYAC final is set: Cortland at Plattsburgh. Cortland went up 2-0 early on hosts Oswego. Despite a mid-3rd period score from the point by Pethrick to bring it to 2-1, the Red Dragons hung on. The Cardinals, perhaps reinvigorated by the return of Adriana Urban and Kayson Ruegge, went on to dominate William Smith 7-0. The Herons' best chance was the first shot of the game and it was pretty much all Cards.
In the MIAC, Hamline has been sent home by St. Benedict as the teams went into the 3rd tied but CSB scored two goals in 8 seconds during the 7th minute of the final frame to reach the 4-2 final. Gustavus upset Augsburg as they made it all the way to OT scoreless before Kylie Scott sent the Gusties through to the next round.
In the NESCAC, Colby beat Hamilton, Midd is up 1-0 on Trinity with under 5 left in the 3rd, Amherst beat Bowdoin and Williams beat Wesleyan.
In the WIAC, UWEC and UWRF both advanced on 5-0 and 7-0 wins over Stevens Point and Superior respectively.
In the UCHC, Nazareth defeated Albertus Magnus and Elmira defeated Utica.
In the MIAC, Hamline has been sent home by St. Benedict as the teams went into the 3rd tied but CSB scored two goals in 8 seconds during the 7th minute of the final frame to reach the 4-2 final. Gustavus upset Augsburg as they made it all the way to OT scoreless before Kylie Scott sent the Gusties through to the next round.
In the NESCAC, Colby beat Hamilton, Midd is up 1-0 on Trinity with under 5 left in the 3rd, Amherst beat Bowdoin and Williams beat Wesleyan.
In the WIAC, UWEC and UWRF both advanced on 5-0 and 7-0 wins over Stevens Point and Superior respectively.
In the UCHC, Nazareth defeated Albertus Magnus and Elmira defeated Utica.
VTpucksouteast
Member
And now GAC elminates Augsburg in overtime.... Almost like the MIAC is the deepest conference in the country once again.
I'm so tired of the NESCAC bias that it's so deep when EVERY favorites ROLLS through the tournament every damn season.
I'm so tired of the NESCAC bias that it's so deep when EVERY favorites ROLLS through the tournament every damn season.
I'm a huge fan and advocate of the MIAC, but I think there's less bias in the index ranking results now than 3-4 years ago when the West was only Gustavus, UWRF, and Adrian representing. At the time both GAC and UWRF were easily top 4 teams in the nation and forced to play each other to move on. During those years UWEC has some great teams and deserved a spot, but never got in when easily having a top 10 team. A second MIAC team wasn't possible without someone upsetting GAC in the tournament. Now we're looking at 4-5 teams from the West getting in, that's enough balance for me.
Hamline is a really good team, top ten for sure, and one could easily argue top 5. They had some great wins and a 20-5-1 season, but all they had to do is win 2 out of their last 3 games. Not against Augsburg or UWRF, but against teams that didn't appear playoff bound and Hamline didn't get it done. Now they have to hope for a little luck to maintain their spot. I think it's a shame if they don't get in, but no matter what system you utilize the last two at large bids are total wild cards.
Even with CSB playing better lately and GAC finally running a string of games together, neither are top 10 teams and have their weaknesses. The odds were very slim that both would win, but what a cool story. Both have a chance to control their own destiny and prove they belong.
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Looking forward to the NESCAC semi- and finals this weekend as well.
Colby is going to be coming out breathing fire. They are well aware their best chance of making the NCAA tournament is to win NESCAC, and let everyone else fight over the at large bids. They have beaten both Middlebury and Amherst. They have the most offense-minded team in the tournament and just keeping them from scoring isn't going to be sufficient. Colby has never made the NESCAC finals, let alone won so looking for their first in both categories.
Middlebury is capable of winning the whole thing, but the last game against Colby they were struggling against the forecheck and speed of the offensive lines.
Amherst, like Middlebury, is capable of winning the whole thing. But they've been struggling on offense recently, and relying on their goaltending to carry them through.
Williams, like Colby, is in the hunt for a rare NESCAC finals appearance. They've not beaten Amherst this season. Beating a team three times in a season is always hard. I expect they will make a good go at it.
There is also a weird energy in Kenyon for the past few weeks where pucks don't want to bounce in anyone's favor. Unless that dissipates it should have some unusual happenings in the games.
I expect two exciting, hard fought, low scoring games on Saturday.
Colby is going to be coming out breathing fire. They are well aware their best chance of making the NCAA tournament is to win NESCAC, and let everyone else fight over the at large bids. They have beaten both Middlebury and Amherst. They have the most offense-minded team in the tournament and just keeping them from scoring isn't going to be sufficient. Colby has never made the NESCAC finals, let alone won so looking for their first in both categories.
Middlebury is capable of winning the whole thing, but the last game against Colby they were struggling against the forecheck and speed of the offensive lines.
Amherst, like Middlebury, is capable of winning the whole thing. But they've been struggling on offense recently, and relying on their goaltending to carry them through.
Williams, like Colby, is in the hunt for a rare NESCAC finals appearance. They've not beaten Amherst this season. Beating a team three times in a season is always hard. I expect they will make a good go at it.
There is also a weird energy in Kenyon for the past few weeks where pucks don't want to bounce in anyone's favor. Unless that dissipates it should have some unusual happenings in the games.
I expect two exciting, hard fought, low scoring games on Saturday.