ST. CLOUD, Minn. – For the first time in program history, Saint Benedict is headed to the NCAA Division III Women's Hockey Tournament as playoff champions of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC).
The No. 3-seeded Bennies defeated No. 4 Gustavus, 2-1, in the 2026 MIAC Playoff Championship game Saturday afternoon in front of a sold-out Ritsche Arena in St. Cloud.
| Box Score |
Following the game, Saint Benedict received the MIAC Playoff Championship trophy, the inaugural Jill Pohtilla Cup, and the Conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Saint Benedict will learn its next opponent on Sunday evening when the NCAA releases its 2026 national tournament field.
HOW IT HAPPENED
-Ella Tuccitto's goal just before the nine-minute mark in the second period proved to be the game-winner for Saint Benedict, putting the Bennies up 2-0 and on their way to the NCAA Tournament for the first time ever.
-The Bennies struck first midway through the opening period on a Jorja Jusczak goal. Tuccitto's goal in the second frame gave CSB a two-goal advantage before Gustavus defender Kylie Scott cut the lead in half less than two minutes into the third period.
-Saint Benedict first-year goaltender Lexi Badali made 33 saves in the win, with nine stops in the first period, 14 in the second, and ten in the third. Lily Timmons collected 17 saves for the Gusties.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
-With the victory, Saint Benedict earned the MIAC's automatic qualifier to the 2026 NCAA Women's Hockey Tournament. This will be the Bennies' first-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament.
-The MIAC Playoff title is the first for the Bennies. CSB entered the 2026 conference tournament with a 0-5 record all-time in postseason contests.
-Saint Benedict is now the sixth different program to win at least one MIAC Women's Hockey Playoff championship, and the first first-time champion in women's hockey since Hamline in 2018. The Pipers placed third in the NCAA Tournament that year.
CHAMPIONSHIP APPAREL
Official playoff team-champion 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.
NPI OUTLOOK
-The NCAA Power Index (NPI) is used to select the six at-large bids to the NCAA Division III Women's Hockey Tournament after the seven automatic qualifiers have been determined on March 8.
-The most recent NPI rankings on March 6, 2026, listed Augsburg at No. 4, Hamline at No. 9, Gustavus at No. 16, and Saint Benedict at No. 17. Last season's NPI cut line was 8.
UP NEXT
-The 13-team bracket for the 2026 NCAA Division III Women's Hockey Championship tournament will be revealed on Sunday, March 8, at 7:30 p.m. Central time on NCAA.com.
-The first round of the national tournament is scheduled for Saturday, March 14, with the national quarterfinals scheduled for Saturday, March 21. The national semifinals will be held on Friday, March 27, with the national championship set for Sunday, March 29.
-The MIAC will announce its annual women's hockey awards, including All-Conference, All-Playoff, and individual honors, on Monday, March 9, at 2:00 p.m. Central time.
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. 3 Saint Benedict 2, No. 4 Gustavus 1 | Box Score |