Six games, six wins. That is how the WCHA regular season kicked off. All dropping the puck against nonconference opponents, six of the league's eight teams were in action around the country, with four earning victories in their homeopeners. Four of the day's wins also came against nationally ranked opponents. 

After Ohio State claimed a series sweep at No. 4/6 Penn State, the weekend rounds out with five more matchups on Saturday afternoon as the rest of the league looks to join the Buckeyes in a 2-0-0 start. 



No. 14/13 Minnesota State - 4 vs. Rensselaer - 1 | Box Score | Minnesota State Recap 

• After RPI opened scoring, a three-goal second period fueled the 4-1 Maverick victory. 
• Sophomore defender Neely Hawn scored the game-winning goal and added an assist in her first game as a Maverick, since transferring from Merrimack.
• A record of 2,537 fans packed the arena, while over 2,100 students from ISD77 filled the Mayo during the second annual youth game.  

St. Thomas - 7 vs. New Hampshire - 2 | Box Score | St. Thomas Recap 

• St. Thomas earned a win in its homeopener and in the first matchup against UNH in program history. 
• Freshman defender Kenleigh Fischer and senior forward Cara Sajevic each posted a goal and two assists for a pair of three-point performances. 
• Junior goaltender Dani Strom recorded 26 saves.

No. 2 Ohio State - 2 at No. 4/6 Penn State - 1 | Box Score | Ohio State Recap

• The Buckeyes (2-0-0) improve to 13-2-0 all-time against the Nittany Lions (0-2-0) and start the year with a series sweep for the second consecutive season.
• The Buckeye penalty kill finished the series 9-for-9 and ultimately outshot Penn State by a 79-33 margin on the weekend.
• The Buckeyes relentless forecheck and neutral zone control helped them keep Penn State from pulling their goaltender for the additional skater. Ohio State only allowed three shots on goal in the final frame.

No. 1 Wisconsin - 6 at RV St. Lawrence - 2 | Box Score | Wisconsin Recap 

• After St. Lawrence took a 2-0 lead in the first, Wisconsin rallied with six straight goals. The last time the Badgers scored six unanswered goals was against Merrimack on Jan. 5, 2024, as UW took down the Warriors 6-1. 
• Wisconsin's win marks the fourth year in a row that the Badgers have begun the season with a victory. They have outscored opponents 33-4 in those four season openers.
• Sophomore forward Charlotte Pieckenhagen tallied a career-high four points in the win with a goal and three assists to lead the Badgers on the scoresheet. 

No. 9 Minnesota Duluth - 2 vs. No. 15/14 Mercyhurst - 0 | Box Score | Minnesota Duluth Recap 

• The Bulldogs earned the program's 600th win in their shutout of Mercyhurst. It also marked the seventh straight season that UMD has opened the season with a win.
• Senior goaltender Eve Gascon picked up her 22nd career shutout behind 26 saves - just one shy of UMD's all-time career record currently held by Emma Soderberg.
• UMD started the game with three freshmen in the starting lineup and perhaps the youngest player in program history to start a game in Renee Lapointe.

RV St. Cloud State - 4 vs. No. 7 UConn - 2 | Box Score | St. Cloud State Recap Coming Soon

• Senior forward Alice Sauriol fueled the Huskies' homeopening win with three points by two goals and an assist. Sauriol was one of three St. Cloud State players with a multi-point night, joined by senior forward Sofianna Sundelin (1G, 1A) and freshman defender Anna Sviridova (2A). 
• After an even opening period, three of St. Cloud State's four goals came in the second period. Both teams went scoreless in the final 20:00 to secure the 4-2 final.
• St. Cloud State now has a chance to even up the all-time series against Connecticut. With Friday's win, SCSU has gone 4-5-0 all-time against UConn. 

Rankings - USCHO Division I Women's Poll / USA Hockey Poll



Saturday, Sept. 26 - All Times Central
New Hampshire at St. Thomas - 1 p.m.
No. 7 UConn at RV St. Cloud State - 2 p.m.
No. 1 Wisconsin at RV St. Lawrence - 2 p.m.
RPI at No. 14/13 Minnesota State - 2 p.m.
No. 15/14 Mercyhurst at No. 9 Minnesota Duluth - 3 p.m.

For more information on the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, follow the league on X and Instagram @WCHA_WHockey, and online at wcha.com.