University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
26-11-1
Ohio State
33-4-0
Team Stats
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Gophers Fall to Buckeyes in WCHA Semifinal
3/5/2026 10:46:00 PM | Women's Hockey
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The fourth-ranked and third-seeded University of Minnesota women's hockey team (26-11-1, 18-9-1 WCHA) fell to second-ranked and second-seeded Ohio State (33-4-0, 24-4-0 WCHA) in the 2026 WCHA Final Faceoff Semifinal, dropping a 4-0 decision after allowing three power-play goals in the contest.
The teams traded a pair of power plays each in the opening period, with Ohio State capitalizing on its first opportunity to take a 1-0 lead at the 7:06 mark. The Buckeyes led 13-7 in shots on goal through the opening 20 minutes.
OSU added a second goal on the power play at the 10:58 mark of the middle frame. The Buckeyes again led in shots on goal in the period, this time 11-7. Minnesota's best chance came with just over three minutes to play in the frame when Bella Fanale fed Abbey Murphy, who skated into the low slot and fired a high glove-side shot that was turned away by the Buckeye goaltender.
Ohio State added its third tally of the contest at 6:51 of the final frame to take a 3-0 lead. The Buckeyes beat the Minnesota defense for a one-on-zero rush to extend the margin to three.
Ohio State added its third power-play goal with 16 seconds remaining in the game to seal the 4-0 victory.
With the result, Minnesota bows out of the WCHA Final Faceoff in the semifinal round for the first time since the 2023-24 season. The Gophers enter NCAA Tournament play with a 26-11-1 record and will await their matchup, to be announced Sunday, March 8 at 10:30 a.m. CT on ESPNU.
Notable
- Abbey Murphy played in her 170th career game, good for sixth all-time in program history.
- Hannah Clark made 28 saves in net.
- Murphy led the Gophers with seven shots on goal.
- Minnesota was shut out for the second time this season. The last occurrence came Feb. 27, 2026, against St. Cloud State in Game 1 of the opening round of the WCHA Playoffs.
Up Next
The Gophers will learn their NCAA Tournament seed on Sunday, March 8, when the NCAA Women's Hockey Selection Show airs on ESPNU at 10:30 a.m. CT.