BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The 2026 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Women's Hockey Playoffs continued on Saturday with two semifinal contests.
No. 3 Saint Benedict and No. 4 Gustavus pulled off upsets, as the Bennies topped No. 2 Hamline, 4-2, and the Gusties took down No. 1 Augsburg, 1-0, in overtime.
Saint Benedict will now host Gustavus next Saturday in the MIAC Women's Hockey Playoff Championship at the Municipal Athletic Complex in St. Cloud. Game time is yet to be determined.
NO. 4 SAINT BENEDICT 4, NO. 2 HAMLINE 2 | Box Score |
-Two third-period goals within eight seconds of each other propelled CSB to the playoff title game for the first time in program history. Bailey Vesper scored what proved to be the game-winner at 7:03 before Shae Stinnett added an insurance goal at 7:11.
-Stinnett scored the first and last goals of the game. Her first tally came at 2:32 in the first period.
-Both Hamline goals were scored by Annabel Mehta. Mehta scored her goals at the 14:29 mark in the first period and again in the second frame.
NO. 4 GUSTAVUS 1, NO. 1 AUGSBURG 0 (OT) | Box Score |
-It took more than 65 minutes before the first – and only – goal was scored in a matchup of familiar playoff foes. Kylie Scott's power-play goal at 5:09 in overtime sent Gustavus back to the MIAC title game for the sixth consecutive season. The Gusties have won 15 MIAC Playoff titles in total since 2001.
-Gustavus goaltender Lily Timmons recorded 32 saves in the win, including 14 in the first period and three in five minutes of OT.
-Augsburg goaltender Marissa Paaske had 23 saves, with seven saves coming in overtime.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME SET FOR SATURDAY
The MIAC Women's Hockey Playoff Championship is now set for Saturday, March 8, at the Municipal Athletic Complex in St. Cloud. Game time is yet to be determined.
Saint Benedict and Gustavus split their regular-season series earlier in February. Each team won in regulation on its home ice. This will be the first-ever playoff meeting between the two programs.
The MIAC Playoff champion will receive the postseason championship trophy, the inaugural Jill Pohtilla Cup, and the Conference's automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Division III Women's Hockey Tournament.
TICKETS ON SALE
Championship game tickets will go on sale next week. All tickets will be sold and purchased online via HomeTown Ticketing. There will not be cash sales at any venue; however, spectators can purchase tickets using a mobile device, including while at the venue. Playoff tickets will go on sale after the regular season has concluded. General admission adult tickets are $12 (plus HTT service charge). Student (with ID) tickets are $3 (plus HTT service charge), and children ages five and under are admitted free.
PAY-PER-VIEW
The 2026 MIAC Women's Hockey Playoffs will be streamed live on the MIAC Sports Network in a pay-per-view format. Individual playoff contests will be streamed for $10 each, or $25 for a "championship pass" to stream the entire tournament live. On-demand access to playoff games will be available after the NCAA Tournament concludes.
The MIAC Sports Network Help Page provides guidance and links to help fans navigate the streaming platform. Hudl Customer Support is also available by email or 24/7 chat to assist with any issues.
PLAYOFF APPAREL
Official playoff apparel is available for online purchase via the MIAC Shop powered by UNRestricted MKTG. The online MIAC Shop features officially licensed short-sleeve t-shirts, long-sleeves, and hooded sweatshirts to commemorate the 2026 playoff tournament. Team champion apparel will be added and available for purchase shortly after the championship game.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
The MIAC has a homepage dedicated to the 2026 MIAC Women's Hockey Playoffs, containing schedules, links, and information on each of the five teams in the field. Throughout the tournament, the page will be updated with scores, stats, and updated schedules.
2026 MIAC WOMEN'S HOCKEY PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Quarterfinals | Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026
No. 4 Gustavus 2, No. 5 Bethel 0 | Box Score |
Semifinals | Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026
No. 3 Saint Benedict 4, No. 2 Hamline 2 | Box Score |
No. 4 Gustavus at No. 1 Augsburg | Box Score |
Championship | Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026
No. 4 Gustavus at No. 3 Saint Benedict | TBD | Tickets (on sale next week) | Live Stats | PPV Stream |
GAME TIMES ARE TENTATIVE