Badger women's hockey advances to WCHA title game

3 stars shine as Wisconsin defeats Minnesota State 7-2 in semifinal

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The top-ranked Wisconsin women's hockey team defeated No. 13 Minnesota State 7-2 in the WCHA Final Faceoff semifinal on Thursday. The Badgers were led by standout performances from Kirsten Simms, Kelly Gorbatenko, and Caroline Harvey, who combined for 7 points in the victory.

Why it matters

Wisconsin's dominant win over Minnesota State extends their winning streak over the Mavericks to 23 games and puts the Badgers one win away from their second straight WCHA championship. With the NCAA tournament looming, this semifinal victory showcases Wisconsin's depth and talent as they aim to defend their national title.

The details

Wisconsin scored four unanswered goals in the first period to take control of the game, with WCHA Player of the Year Caroline Harvey opening the scoring late in the frame. The Badgers continued to pour it on, scoring on four of their next ten shots to put the game out of reach. Kirsten Simms scored twice to move into a tie for the fifth-most goals in program history, while Kelly Gorbatenko added two goals and an assist.

  • Wisconsin scored four goals in the first period to take a 4-0 lead.
  • Kirsten Simms scored a pair of goals to move into a tie for fifth on Wisconsin's all-time goals list.

The players

Kirsten Simms

A senior forward for Wisconsin who contributed two goals and an assist in the semifinal victory. Simms is tied for the fifth-most goals in program history and is closing in on becoming the fifth Badger to reach 100 career goals.

Kelly Gorbatenko

A junior forward for Wisconsin who scored two goals and added an assist. Gorbatenko has developed into a unique weapon for the Badgers with her 5-foot-11 frame and ability to protect the puck.

Caroline Harvey

The WCHA Player of the Year and three-time WCHA Defender of the Year, Harvey scored the opening goal and added two assists. The junior defenseman is on the verge of breaking her own single-season program scoring record for a blueliner.

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What they’re saying

“It started when I broke my wrist a while ago, and so I learned how to stick handle with one hand. So that just kind of gave me confidence to be able to protect in that way and use my size to my advantage.”

— Kelly Gorbatenko, Wisconsin forward (Instagram)

What’s next

Wisconsin will face the winner of the other semifinal matchup in the WCHA championship game on Saturday, with a chance to claim their second straight conference title.

The takeaway

Wisconsin's dominant performance against Minnesota State showcases the Badgers' depth and talent as they aim to defend their national championship. Led by standout efforts from Kirsten Simms, Kelly Gorbatenko, and Caroline Harvey, Wisconsin appears primed for a deep NCAA tournament run.