Women’s 2025 NCAA Tournament – Quarterfinals Recap! The Frozen Four is Set!

The 2025 Frozen Four field is set!

The field is set for the 2025 Women’s Frozen Four, held for the second-straight year at Hunt Arena in River Falls, WI. This year, unlike last, is a predetermined site for the event. Last year, UW-River Falls hosted in Hunt Arena as they earned the #1 seed en-route to their undefeated 31-0-0 season capped off by a 4-1 National Championship victory over Elmira, the first in program history and for longtime legendary Head Coach Joe Cranston.

#9 St. Norbert (25-4-1) @ #1 Augsburg (23-3-1) – Augsburg 4-2

St. Norbert has had a dream season, led by Head Coach A.J. Aitken, winning their first-ever NCHA conference championship, defeating their rival Adrian in overtime, then upsetting Gustavus in the First Round of the NCAA tournament. Meanwhile… Augsburg, also having a dream season, First Year Head Coach Elizabeth “Biz” Bauer won the MIAC regular season and playoffs, earned the #1 overall seed or the first time in program history, receiving a bye to the quarterfinals.

In this one, goaltending was always going to be the battle. St. Norbert was heavily outshot vs Gustavus, but their goaltending got them the win, as it did many times this season. Augsburg has been rolling, but goaltending has also been a major factor in their success. The Green Knights goaltender #36 Keira Markell made 29 saves on 33 shots, while #30 Kayla Simonson made 30 saves on 32 shots for the Auggies.

The opening period was scoreless, seeing three penalties, two by Augsburg and one by SNC.

The scoring began from Augsburg in the 2nd period as they scored a rapid pair of goals in the first three minutes, both scored by Emma Abrahamson at 1:29 & 2:48 on the powerplay respectively, Auggies go up 2-0 quickly out of the intermission.

Five of the six cumulative goals would come in this period, SNC’s Tristan Wicklund cut the lead in half, scoring at 12:37, but that wouldn’t last long, the Auggies’ Aunna Schulte answered right back a brisk 25 seconds later. Her teammate Emily Cronkhite would then score 1:40 later, making it a commanding 4-1 lead for the #1 overall seed.

St. Norbert’s Ava Anick scored a late 6v4 powerplay goal at 18:02, but it was too little too late, the Auggies head to their first-ever Frozen Four, making the short drive to River Falls, WI where they’ll face the host, Falcons.

#8 Colby (18-6-2) @ #2 Amherst (21-5-1) – Amherst 4-1

These two teams met twice in the regular season, Colby sweeping Amherst in Maine 3-1 & 3-2. For the Mules, they got in the dance via the final at-large spot for the third time in four years, the most wins they’ve ever had in one season cumulatively is 18, & their NCAA tournament record now moves to 1-3 (lone win coming over Norwich). The Mammoths are no stranger to Frozen Fours, coming off a NESCAC Championship in their home building Orr Rink, they’ll be flying out for another crack at a title when they face rival Middlebury who they’ve faced three times, including the NESCAC title game.

In this one, star goaltender for Amherst, #1 Natalie Stott made 29 saves on 30 shots, while for the Mules, Mandy Busky made 27 on 31. The scoring got underway early in the 1st, Bea Flynn scoring unassisted a quick 2:44 into the game, giving the Mammoths a 1-0 lead.

Amherst would add another late in the 1st (14:21), this time on the powerplay, it was Ayla Abban, doubling the lead as we headed to intermission with Amherst up 2-0.

The lone goal of the 2nd period was scored by a familiar name, Bea Flynn (6:15), making it 3-0 Mammoths entering the 3rd period. In the final period of play, Natalie Fu scored a quick 1:46 into the period, essentially icing the game as it was now 4-0.

Colby got one on the scoreboard at 4:57, just over three minutes after Fu’s goal, but that was it. Amherst moves on and once again eyes themselves a title as they’ll face NESCAC-rival Middlebury.

#11 Nazareth (21-6-1) @ #3 Middlebury (20-6-1) – Middlebury 1-0

Nazareth & Head Coach Chris Baudo, coming off their first ever NCAA victory which came on the road vs #6-seeded Endicott (22-5-1) 4-2, faced the giant in Middlebury who’s no stranger to winning NCAA games. Legendary Head Coach Bill Mandigo has 4 National Titles including an undefeated 27-0-0 season in 2022. He also has 7 Frozen Four appearances and won 20+ games 17 times, which includes 12 NESCAC titles.

This game featured one goal, it was scored in the 2nd period by Kate Flynn at 13:20, assisted by Jordan Hower & Sabrina Kim.

There was also only one penalty called in the game; Middlebury’s Olivia Gordon was called for tripping at 14:38 of the 2nd period.

Both goaltenders were solid, despite the loss, Nazareth’s McKinley Hoff made 30 saves on 31 shots, while Middlebury’s Sophia Will had 23 saves in the shutout victory.

I’d like to say more about this game, but unfortunately it was a defensive battle with little added commentary.

#12 Elmira (21-7-1) @ #4 Wisconsin-River Falls (23-3-2) – UW-River Falls 4-1

A rematch of last year’s national championship in the quarterfinal round. Elmira, coming off a 1-0 upset victory over the #5-seeded Plattsburgh (20-7-1). Head Coach Greg Haney was looking to make his second Frozen Four in his second year at the helm with Elmira. Meanwhile, Head Coach Joe Cranston is looking to win back-to-back national titles with his Falcons.

In this game, it was pretty even to start, but the Falcons entered their next gear that no one else seems to have and got it done again. Allisen Carothers got the scoring started at 17:56 of the 1st period, giving River Falls the 1-0 lead entering the intermission, scoring with just over two minutes left.

Laura Hurd finalist Bailey Olson continued her dream season, side note, Coach Joe Cranston has a chance to have a third Laura Hurd winner (top player in women’s D-III) in the last four years… (Callie Hoff – ’22 & Maddie McCollins – ’23). Coach Cranston’s ability to develop talent has been off the charts over the years. Back to Olson, she doubled the lead just over the midway mark of the 2nd period (10:45), giving her Falcons a 2-0 lead entering the final period of play.

In the 3rd, Ellie Brice gave River Falls the 3-0 lead, coming on the powerplay a quick 5:48 into the period. About four minutes later, Elmira got on the board, it was Erika Goleniak cutting the deficit to 2, but the Falcons iced the game with a late powerplay goal at 17:48 by Megan Goodreau. UW-River Falls gets to host the dance for the second-straight year, with the chance of going back-to-back… They face the #1-seeded Augsburg, 1st year head coach vs 26 years… Fun.

Frozen Four Schedule

*All times via NCAA as of 3/24/2025

**Games being played in Hunt Arena.

Semifinals: Friday – March 28, 2025

#3 Middlebury (21-6-1) vs #2 Amherst (22-5-1) – 3pm CT

#1 Augsburg (24-3-1) @ #4 Wisconsin-River Falls (24-3-2) – 7pm CT

Championship: Sunday – March 30, 2025

TBD / TBD – 3pm CT