2025 Women’s Semifinal Recap & National Championship Preview

After an action-packed Friday, I can safely say that the 2025 National Semifinals definitely lived up to the hype in Division III women’s hockey.  In case you missed it, take a look at my live blog from Friday, where I documented the events of Friday’s events as they occurred.  But here, I’ll give you a brief recap of what went down, followed by a preview of the ultimate moment of the 2024-25 season: the national championship game.

Game Recap: #3 Middlebury vs. #2 Amherst

This was a phenomenal game between two rivals, serving as the 4th meeting between these two heavyweight programs.  This edition was as competitive as expected, with the first three meetings resulting in a 1-1-1 split between the Mammoths and Panthers.  These teams are both incredibly similar, with both squads relying heavily on their goalies and team defense.  But both offenses definitely have the ability to break the game open.

Early on, the Mammoths had a great start to the game, forechecking very hard.  Middlebury bounced back, doing a great job counterpunching by forechecking hard and generating a couple quality chances.  Towards the end of the first, Amherst got some momentum back, following a successful penalty kill.  However, neither team was able to break through on either goaltender.

In the second, the game opened up a bit more, but both goalies stood tall, making some incredible saves.  Both teams made some desperation efforts to keep the game scoreless heading into the final frame.

Early on in the third, Amherst senior Alyssa Xu broke the ice for the Mammoths at 1:34 of the period, after a net-front scramble finally resulted in a goal, as Amherst drew first blood.

In crunch time, Middlebury 5th year senior Cece Ziegler ripped a wrist shot from the point that deflected off a Mammoth an in the net, tying the score with less than 13 minutes remaining in regulation.

With just 6:57 remaining, Amherst’s Maeve Reynolds made a neat steal and pass ahead to Xu, who broke around the Panther defender, and deked past the goaltender to score her 2nd of the game, regaining the lead for the Mammoths.

While Amherst’s All-American goalie Natalie Stott made some huge saves in the first two periods, the Mammoth defense did a great job keeping the chances very manageable for Stott down the home stretch.

With the net empty, Anna Baxter swiftly stole the pick from Middlebury attack, centered a pass in, and after freshman Ayla Abban got her shot blocked, Bea Flynn picked up the loose puck and fired the puck into the empty net, sealing the 3-1 victory for Amherst.

Press Conference Notes

In the post-game presser, both teams were very complimentary of one another:

Legendary Panther head coach Bill Mandigo credited the Amherst program, understanding it was a tough game to prepare for, and it was going to be close, especially given the previous three meetings.  Middlebury seniors Cece Ziegler and Raia Schluter were so thankful for their 10-player senior class, making their time in Vermont special, which included three Frozen Fours and an undefeated national title on home ice.

Amherst coach Jeff Matthews was thrilled for his team, getting two more days together to bond and go through a special event that many other teams would kill to experience.  He knew this game could go either way, but was so proud of his team for battling, including a very impressive second period showing, where they captured the momentum in the game.  His players Alyssa Xu and Anna Baxter have played in multiple NCAA nail-biting games before, which helped this group not only prepare for the semifinal, but will help for Sunday afternoon’s game, as they were just in this spot in 2023.

Game Recap: #4 UW-River Falls vs. #1 Augsburg

In the nightcap, Hunt Arena was rocking as loud as any arena I’ve ever heard at the Division III level, as it was the place was packed to the gills.  The home crowd was absolutely rocking, but the Auggie faithful from the Twin Cities showed up in a major way.  The game started with a flurry, as both teams laid some massive hits that went uncalled in the opening moments.

In Semifinal #1, we waited over 40 minutes for a goal.  In Semifinal #2, we waited less than 4.  Alexa Niccum slipped one by Kayla Simonson on the Falcons’ first shot of the game, off an assist by Kylie Jones.

The Falcons kept the hammer down, generating a couple amazing chances, but Simonson stood tall, keeping the Auggies within striking distance.

Late in the first, the Auggies started to get a couple decent looks for themselves to counter the Falcon attack.  Then with just over 2 minutes remaining, Livia Brehm sniped a shot into the top corner of the UWRF net on an amazing individual effort, tying the score at 1.  It was a major win for the Auggies to escape the first with the score even.

Period 2 belonged to the Auggies, as they really found their legs.  Simonson started things off with a massive save, and the Auggies punched back, generating a power play opportunity.

As the man advantage was ending, clutch freshman Aunna Schulte ripped one from the point to give the Auggies the 2-1 lead, leading to the River Falls crowd getting awfully quiet.

Augsburg controlled most of the 2nd period, quite the difference from the 1st.  But late in the middle frame Madison Lavergne is rewarded from her hard backchecking, getting a bounce on her shot, as the Falcons tie the game at 2 with less than 3 minutes remaining.

River Falls owned the start of the 3rd period, getting some great looks, and generating a power play chance, but still could not beat Simonson, as she made some grade-A saves.

But with 8:45 remaining, All-American Megan Goodreau found a sliver of open ice and ripped a puck past Simonson blocker side to give the Falcons the lead in a clutch moment.

Rather than sitting back, UWRF kept the pressure on, trying to get some insurance, and Cahlilah Lindquist provided just that, burying a rebound shot from the high slot, doubling the Falcon lead.

The Auggies got a couple decent chances down the stretch, furiously attempting a comeback, but the Falcon lead proved to be too much, as River Falls advances to their 2nd consecutive national championship game.

The building was absolutely electric and just about as intense as I’ve seen, and both teams were so grateful to have played in a game so wildly electric.

Press Conference Notes

In the post-game presser, both coaches were incredibly proud of how their teams showed themselves, and the players were so thankful to have played in such an environment.

Augsburg coach Elizabeth Bauer was obviously not happy with the semifinal result, but was so proud of how this team rallied behind her in her first year as head coach, acknowledging that this was no doubt, a special season, with plenty of memorable moments that will last a lifetime.  Two thrilling games in Hunt Arena, a come-from-behind win against Hamline, and the classic 4 OT MIAC playoff win over Saint Mary’s were amazing experiences for the team.

All three Auggie seniors were so proud to represent Augsburg on a stage this large and new to the program.  Elizabeth Fagerlind, Kiley Wahlin, and Emily Cronkhite felt honored to help push this program to unforeseen heights.  They really viewed themselves as underdogs all season long, and worked so hard as a team to win 24 games as a team, and played River Falls as competitive as anyone in this spot.

On the victors’ side, head coach Joe Cranston is starting to see some of the parallels between this season and last.  Obviously the semifinal victory being one of them, but he is seeing his team battling when faced with adversity, never backing down, and finding ways to win in clutch moments.  Cranston recognizes that his team has grown so much in the second half of the campaign, and his girls are firing on all cylinders, crediting their conditioning for fueling a full 60 minute effort.

Forwards Madison Lavergne and Megan Goodreau worked so hard all game, and both made huge plays to earn the tying and go-ahead goals, respectively.  Lavergne credited her linemates for putting her in an excellent spot to make a play.  Goodreau made an unbelievable play to snipe the puck past the goalie, but instincts took over, as she picked her spot on the goaltender.

Cranston complimented his players’ diligence and amazing work effort that gives them these chances.  Now, it’s time to prepare for a team in Amherst who plays a very different style.  We’ll see how both teams come out firing on Sunday.

Sunday’s Championship Preview: #4 UW-River Falls vs. #2 Amherst

 

Both teams earned hard-earned wins in the national semifinals, and both are very deserving of playing for a championship.  While both teams play very different styles, this one should be very intriguing, as we are very much dealing with another classic East vs. West affair.

The teams have met 3 times previously, with Amherst winning the previous 3.  However, these three games were quite a while ago, with the wins coming in 2006, 2007, and 2012.

Common Opponents:

Despite the Falcons playing an east team in the quarterfinals, Elmira was not a common opponent between the two programs.  However, we did have one team that both schools played, surprisingly, in a 5-day span.

• River Falls defeated St. Olaf 11-2 on the road, back in November.  Just 4 days later, Amherst shutout the Oles, 3-0, at a neutral site: the Codfish Bowl, at UMass Boston.

Final Look:

I am absolutely thrilled to get the opportunity to cover this contest, as we have two amazing teams led by all-time coaches.  Amherst came up short in their last national championship game, while the Falcons came away victorious last year, winning the title.  What that means for 2025?  I’m not sure.

I do expect a very close game between teams that play very different styles.  I can say that after witnessing both semifinals on Friday, the games were quite different, even if the scores were pretty similar.  The Falcons will have a major home ice advantage, but when you have a goalie as good as Natalie Stott, I view her as the equalizer.

I think this game comes down to the wire, and with so many players experienced with NCAA nail-biting contests, I expect both teams to deliver on the highest stage, and give us viewers a classic.