By: Norwich University Athletics

NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University women's ice hockey team has earned an at-large bid into the 2026 NCAA Division III Women's Ice Hockey Tournament, securing a bye into a national quarterfinal round and a home matchup on Saturday, Mar. 21, at 3:00 p.m. in Kreitzberg Arena.

The Cadets will face the winner of the NCAA First Round contest between Hamline University and Endicott College, which is set for Saturday, Mar. 14, at 4:00 p.m. EDT at Hamline.  Norwich's quarterfinal game is scheduled for Saturday, Mar. 21, at 3:00 p.m. EDT.

Norwich received a direct berth into the quarterfinals after finishing second nationally in the NCAA Power Index (NPI), trailing only two-time defending national champion University of Wisconsin-River Falls.  The Cadets enter the national tournament with a 25-2-0 overall record and a perfect 18-0-0 mark in Little East Conference play, having captured the league's inaugural tournament championship on Saturday, Mar. 7 with a 3-1 victory over UMass Boston at Kreitzberg Arena.

The conference title marked the 12th league championship in program history and the first since 2023.  Norwich controlled much of the title game from start to finish, outshooting UMass Boston 42-14 and breaking a 1-1 deadlock late in regulation behind a power-play goal from Alex Leslie (Irishtown, N.B.).  Tournament Most Valuable Player Breanna Ricker (Laconia, N.H.) scored twice in the win, while Olivia Boyer (Saint Paul, Minn.) recorded two assists and reached the 100-career point milestone.

Hamline enters the NCAA Tournament with a 20-5-1 overall record after falling, 4-2, to the College of Saint Benedict in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference semifinals.  The Pipers posted a 14-3-1 mark in conference play and earned an at-large selection to the national field.

Endicott claimed the Conference of New England championship and its automatic bid with a 1-0 overtime victory over Western New England on Saturday, Mar. 7.  The Gulls carry a 21-4-2 overall record into the postseason, including a 20-2-2 mark in conference action.

Hamline and Endicott met earlier this season on Jan. 5, with the Pipers earning a 5-1 win on Endicott's home ice.

The winner of Norwich's quarterfinal will advance to the NCAA semifinals on Friday, Mar. 27.  The national championship game is scheduled for Sunday, Mar. 29, at 3:00 p.m. EDT.

Additional information regarding tickets, live video, and game day coverage for Norwich's NCAA Quarterfinal appearance will be announced when available.