RIVER FALLS, Wis. — The UW-River Falls women's hockey team defeated Williams College 1-0 Saturday afternoon at Hunt Arena in the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals, advancing to the semifinals for a third consecutive season and the eighth "Frozen Four" appearance in program history.
The Falcons, now 28-1 overall, will remain at home next weekend to host the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 seed. The semifinals are slated for 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. (CT) on Friday, March 27, followed by the championship game at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 29.
Ticket sales will be ONLINE ONLY and fans can purchase tickets
HERE. NCAA Semifinal tickets will be available for purchase starting tomorrow, Sunday, March 22 at 8 a.m. (CT). 200 FREE tickets will be available for UWRF students, thanks to the UWRF Student Government Association.
After a scoreless first period that saw both teams trade chances, UWRF broke through midway through the second. Just past the seven-minute mark, MaKenna Aure netted the game's lone goal, snapping a shot through screens past the Ephs' goaltender Erin Pye, with an assist from Katherine Bell. Aure's 14th goal of the season proved to be the difference stood as the game-winner.
From there, the Falcons' defense and goaltending took over. UWRF outshot Williams 46-37 on the afternoon and controlled play at key stretches, including a 16-shot second period.
Jordan O'Kane turned in a flawless performance in net, stopping all 37 shots she faced to earn the shutout - her eighth of the season, which ties a UWRF single-season record. O'Kane also picked up her 24th win of the season to break a UWRF record for most wins by a goaltender in a season, passing Jordan O'Connor's previous record total of 23 set during the 2023-24 season.
The Falcons also limited Williams' power play opportunities, killing off all four Eph advantages while going 0-for-2 on their own chances.
Williams pushed late, pulling its goaltender in the final minutes and applying pressure with an extra attacker, but the Falcons held firm to preserve the victory.
Up next, the Falcons will play Amherst College in the semifinals on Friday, March 27 at 7 p.m., in a rematch of last year's national championship.
