No. 7 Quinnipiac women’s ice hockey will play Franklin Pierce in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, according to a March 11 announcement from the university. The game is scheduled for Thursday, March 12 at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wisconsin, with the winner advancing to face No. 2 Wisconsin on Saturday.
This marks Quinnipiac’s fifth appearance in the NCAA postseason. The matchup comes after Quinnipiac won the ECAC Hockey Championships for the first time since 2016, defeating top-seeded Yale 5-1 at Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid. Goaltender Felicia Frank was named Most Outstanding Player of that tournament after making 61 saves and allowing only two goals.
Franklin Pierce enters its first-ever NCAA Tournament following a victory over Saint Anselm to claim its second NEWHA championship. Sophomore Caleigh Murphy leads Franklin Pierce in scoring with 17 goals and 18 assists this season, while goaltender Jill Hertl has started 28 games with an .955 save percentage and a goals-against average of 1.62.
Quinnipiac forward Kahlen Lamarche has been named a top-10 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award after breaking school records for single-season goals and points previously held by Kelly Babstock. Lamarche has tallied 42 goals and 20 assists this season and reached career milestones of both 100 points and 50 goals earlier this year.
Felicia Frank was awarded ECAC Goalie of the Year honors, leading her league in several categories including goals-against average (1.31), total saves (545), shutouts (6), and save percentage (.949). Both Frank and Lamarche were selected for the All-ECAC Hockey First Team, while Makayla Watson earned Second Team honors.
The Bobcats are currently ranked No. 7 nationally in both USCHO and USA Hockey polls as they prepare for their opening-round game.
