University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Princeton
Huskies to Meet Princeton in First Round of NCAA Tournament
3/11/2026 3:56:00 PM | Women's Ice Hockey
UConn Links: 2025 Schedule | 2025 Roster
Princeton Links: 2025 Schedule | 2025 Roster
Storrs, Conn. – No. 6 UConn women's hockey (27-8-2) are set to open the NCAA Tournament against No. 9 Princeton on Thursday, March 12 at Pegula Ice Arena. Puck drop is set for 7:00pm. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
UConn has had an historic season in 2025-26, posting a program high 27 wins. Under head coach Chris MacKenzie, the Huskies have recorded 20+ wins in four out of the last five seasons.
UConn earned their second-ever automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament after winning the Hockey East Tournament Championship for the second time in program history. Kyla Josifovic scored the game-winning goal in double overtime, propelling the Huskies to a 2-1 victory over Northeastern.
This season, UConn has led the conference in scoring offense (3.05), ranking 11th nationally. Megan Woodworth leads the Huskies in goals this year with 16, while Josifovic leads the roster in points with 38. UConn also leads Hockey East this season in scoring defense (1.62), ranking 5th nationally. The Huskies defense has been anchored by the Hockey East Goaltender of the Year, Tia Chan. The Hamilton, Ontario native was a top 10 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award and was recently named the Hockey East Tournament MVP. Chan made a career high 57 saves in the championship game.
A Look at Princeton
The Princeton Tigers (23-10) earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2020. The Tigers finished tied for first place in the ECAC with a 16-6 conference record in the regular season. Princeton fell to Quinnipiac in the ECAC Tournament semifinal, 2-1 in overtime. The Tigers are coached by Courtney Kessel in her first season. Princeton began the season at No. 14 in the USCHO Preseason Poll. The Tigers currently sit at No. 9 in the poll. Princeton has been led by senior forward Issy Wunder with 27 goals and 16 assists this season. Wunder was named a top 10 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award for the second consecutive season.
Series History
The Huskies and Tigers met in the regular season back in October for a two-game series at Toscano Family Ice Forum. UConn was victorious in both games, winning game one, 2-1 and game two, 3-0. Prior to the two matchups this season, Princeton had won four straight games against the Huskies. UConn trails the all-time series, 4-10-2.
