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River Falls Today
By the People, for the People
UW-River Falls Women's Hockey Make Division III History with Third Straight Title
Falcons shut out Nazareth, cap off Division III three-peat at home
Mar. 29, 2026 at 11:28pm
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The UW-River Falls women's hockey team's third straight Division III national championship victory is a triumph of teamwork, skill, and the school's hockey excellence.River Falls TodayThe UW-River Falls women's hockey team secured its place in Division III history on Sunday, beating Nazareth 4-0 at Hunt Arena to claim their third consecutive national championship. Playing on their home ice, the Falcons finished the season 30-1 and became just the third program in NCAA Division III women's hockey to win three straight titles, closing out a dominant three-year stretch with an 87-4-2 overall record under head coach Joe Cranston.
Why it matters
The Falcons' historic three-peat championship run cements UW-River Falls as a powerhouse in Division III women's hockey, further solidifying the UW System's reputation for excellence in the sport after the Wisconsin women's team won the Division I national title and the Badgers men's team advanced to the Frozen Four.
The details
The Falcons took control early in the second period, with Brooklyn Riley breaking the deadlock just 1:01 into the frame on the power play, followed by a goal from Sophia Hess just over two minutes later to make it 2-0. River Falls never let Nazareth back into the game, as Madison Kadrlik added a third-period goal and Hess scored her second of the day. The Falcons outshot Nazareth 44-22 and won 44 of 70 faceoffs. In goal, Jordan O'Kane recorded her ninth shutout of the season, a program record, while Megan Goodreau tied the NCAA Division III single-season points record with 77.
- The Falcons claimed their third straight national championship on Sunday, March 29, 2026.
- River Falls finished the season with a 30-1 record.
The players
Joe Cranston
The head coach of the UW-River Falls women's hockey team, who led the Falcons to three consecutive Division III national championships.
Brooklyn Riley
A player for the UW-River Falls women's hockey team who scored the opening goal in the second period to break the deadlock against Nazareth.
Sophia Hess
A player for the UW-River Falls women's hockey team who scored two goals in the championship game against Nazareth.
Madison Kadrlik
A player for the UW-River Falls women's hockey team who scored a third-period goal in the championship game.
Jordan O'Kane
The goaltender for the UW-River Falls women's hockey team, who recorded her ninth shutout of the season, a program record.
The takeaway
The UW-River Falls women's hockey team's historic three-peat championship run solidifies their status as a dominant force in Division III, further enhancing the reputation of the UW System as a premier destination for elite college hockey.
