The three-time defending NCAA Division III national champion and No. 1-ranked UW-River Falls women's hockey team opens the 2026-27 season this weekend against Saint Mary's University, with a 2026 championship banner drop scheduled for Friday's home opener at Hunt Arena.
UW-RIVER FALLS VS. SAINT MARY'S
Date: Friday, Oct. 30
Time: 7:05 p.m.
Site: River Falls, Wis. // Hunt Arena
Live Coverage: Video //
Stats //
Tickets
UW-RIVER FALLS AT SAINT MARY'S
Date: Saturday, Oct. 31
Time: 7 p.m.
Site: Winona, Minn. // SMU Ice Arena
Live Coverage: Video //
Stats //
Tickets
ONLINE TICKETING
- Admission to all UWRF women's hockey home games for the 2026-27 season will be sold exclusively online.
FALCON NOTES
- UWRF is coming off its third consecutive national championship, becoming just the third program in NCAA Division III women's hockey history to complete a "three-peat."
- UWRF is ranked No. 1 in both the USCHO and DIII Hockey News preseason polls.
- Head coach Joe Cranston enters his 28th season leading the Falcons. Through the 2025-26 season, his 548 career victories rank third all-time in NCAA Division III women's hockey history.
- Sophomore forward Sophia Hess is UWRF's top returning scorer. A Laura Hurd Award finalist and First Team All-American, Hess was named DIII Hockey News and WIAC Newcomer of the Year. She ranked second nationally in scoring last season with 60 points on 28 goals and 32 assists, trailing only Megan Goodreau.
- Alexa Niccum and Madison Kadrlik will also lead the Falcons offensively. Both were All-WIAC selections and combined for 25 goals last season.
- Sophomore Brooklyn Riley was the WIAC's second-leading scoring defender last season, recording 25 points on six goals and 19 assists.
- In goal, senior Anna Rader has the most career experience with 10 games played, while junior Olivia Hansen has appeared in seven games and owns a .915 save percentage.
