St. Cloud State Pulls Off Major Upset in Women's College Hockey

St. Cloud State's Remarkable Upset Against Connecticut

In a thrilling start to the 2026-27 women's college hockey season, St. Cloud State University delivered a stunning upset, defeating the No. 7 ranked Connecticut team 4-2. Senior forward Alice Sauriol was the standout player of the match, scoring two goals and providing an assist, showcasing her offensive prowess.

Game Highlights

St. Cloud State kicked off their season amidst renovations at their home arena, competing at the Torrey Arena in the Municipal Athletic Complex. The team's performance was remarkable, especially considering the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) preseason coaches' poll had projected them to finish sixth after a challenging previous season.

Following Sauriol's lead, senior forward Sofianna Sundelin also made her mark by scoring a goal and assisting on another. Additionally, freshman defender Anna Sviridova contributed with two assists, and goalkeeper Emilia Kyrkkö made 27 saves to secure the victory.

For Connecticut, which celebrated its highest-ever preseason ranking, goals from Julia Pellerin and Chelsea Tiller were not enough to overcome the determined Huskies.

WCHA Season Opener

The WCHA displayed dominance across the league with a perfect 6-0 record this opening weekend. Notable performances included No. 1 Wisconsin, which overcame an early two-goal deficit to defeat St. Lawrence 6-2. Sophomore forward Charlotte Pieckenhagen shone brightly, achieving a career-high of four points from one goal and three assists in that game.

In another thrilling matchup, No. 2 Ohio State narrowly defeated No. 4 Penn State 2-1, aided by goals from sophomore Hilda Svensson and senior Rylee Bartz.

Rising Stars in the League

As the college hockey scene heats up, buzz surrounds Boston University's young captain Macklin Celebrini, who at just 20 years old, recently became the youngest captain in San Jose Sharks history. Celebrini's achievement adds to the excitement surrounding youth leadership in the league, especially with the NHL's increasing salary cap projected to reach $127.5 million in the near future.

Conclusion and Upcoming Games

The successful weekend capped off with St. Cloud State’s significant victory over Connecticut, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead. The WCHA continues to be the league to watch, with several matchups lined up for the weekend.

As teams settle into their rhythm, hockey fans can anticipate more thrilling games as the season unfolds.