By: Norwich University Athletics

RIVER FALLS, Wis.- The Norwich women's ice hockey team saw its historic postseason run come to a close Friday evening at Hunt Arena, falling 5–4 in overtime to the Nazareth Golden Flyers in the program's first NCAA Semifinal appearance since 2018.

Despite building an early three-goal lead and holding a 4–2 advantage into the third period, the Cadets were unable to hold off a resilient Nazareth squad, which completed the comeback with a goal just 29 seconds into overtime.

"Kudos to Nazareth — they've had an unbelievable season and gave us everything we could handle today," said Head Coach Justin Simpson. "To be up 3–0 and then have them come back the way they did shows a lot about their group. I thought we played a really good game, too. We came out storming, got up 3–0, made it 4–2 in the second, and tried to hold that lead. They pushed, tied it, and won it in overtime. It is what it is. It doesn't change how I feel about our group or our season. It was a heck of a year, and I'm so proud of them."

Norwich came out flying in the opening period, controlling play and jumping ahead with two goals in 16 seconds midway through the frame.

After Maggie Hunter's (Royal Oak, Mich.) initial shot was stopped by Nazareth goaltender Mia Gonsalves, a rebound sequence unfolded in front. Alex Leslie's (Irishtown, N.B.) follow-up attempt from the left point was turned aside. Still, the puck glanced off Anna Lisac's (Euclid, Ohio) skate and found Natalie Heutmaker (Eagan, Minn.), who finished the play to open the scoring.

On the ensuing faceoff, the Cadets struck again. After Nazareth won the draw, Lauren Tuzik (Frankfort, Ill.) quickly turned the play up ice, springing Marja Linzbichler (Graz, Austria) and Libby Lane (Northville, Mich.) on a two-on-one. Linzbichler's shot created a rebound that deflected off Lane's skate and into the net. The goal stood after review, giving Norwich a 2–0 lead.

The Cadets continued to press and extended the advantage on a five-on-three power play. Hunter fed Leslie at the point, and Leslie's shot deflected off Geena Cookinham (Gilmanton, N.H.) and past Gonsalves to make it 3–0. Madison Brunet (Timmins, Ont.) made several key saves late in the period as Nazareth pushed back, but Norwich carried a 16–9 shot advantage and a three-goal lead into the first intermission.

"They juggled their lines going into the second, and I think that gave them momentum," Simpson said.

Nazareth began to chip away early in the second period. Six minutes in, the Golden Flyers broke through on the power play, as Ella Konrad found the back of the net to cut the deficit to 3–1. Momentum continued to swing shortly after, with Ella Cedrone scoring to bring Nazareth within one.

Norwich responded quickly.

Just 15 seconds later, Cookinham controlled the puck along the left half wall and sent it to Tuzik at the point. Tuzik's shot deflected off Olivia Boyer (Saint Paul, Minn.) and into the net, restoring a two-goal cushion at 4–2 just past the midway point of the period.

The Golden Flyers continued to press, but the Cadets held firm for the remainder of the frame, carrying the 4–2 lead into the third period.

Nazareth completed the comeback in the final twenty minutes.

Just two-and-a-half minutes into the third, Amy Laskowski scored to cut the deficit to one. The Golden Flyers continued to push, generating sustained offensive-zone pressure before Maggie Jacoby found the equalizer with six minutes remaining, tying the game at 4–4.

The momentum carried into overtime, where Meredith Boettcher ended the contest just 29 seconds into the extra frame, sending Nazareth to the national championship game.

Despite the result, Norwich's season stands as one of the most accomplished in program history. In Head Coach Justin Simpson's first season, the Cadets captured both the inaugural Little East Conference regular-season and tournament titles while going undefeated in conference play.

"I have a lot of respect for Justin," said Madison Anderson (Green Bay, Wis.). "He's really changed this program and pushed us to be our best. It's been awesome to grow game by game and reach this point together."

The game also marked the final appearance for a decorated senior class that helped lead Norwich to new heights.

"They mean everything to us," Anderson added. "Madison Brunet, Olivia Boyer, Lauren Tuzik, and Rylie McIntyre (Brunswick, Maine) — they've been incredible leaders and will always be part of this family. I'm just glad we could make this run with them."

With a conference championship, a return to the Frozen Four, and a historic season under a new coaching staff, the Cadets close the 2025–26 campaign with momentum and a foundation firmly set for continued success.