NCAA Division III women's ice hockey

The NCAA Division III women's ice hockey is a college ice hockey competition governed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as part of the NCAA Division III (DIII or D3). Sixty-seven teams competed in NCAA Division III women's hockey across eight conferences in the 2023–24 season.

Conferences

Curry

Endicott

Johnson & Wales

Nichols

Suffolk

Western New England

Schools in the CNE

Conference affiliations and the conferences themselves experienced numerous changes in the later part of the 2010s. The most substantial alterations occurred with the founding of the Colonial Hockey Conference (CHC) in 2015 and the folding of ECAC West in 2017, which precipitated the creation of the Northeast Women's Hockey League (NEWHL) in the same year. The conferences and affiliations presented below are accurate through the 2019–20 season.^[1]

A conference with seven or more affiliated programs automatically qualifies for the NCAA DIII Women's Ice Hockey Tournament.^[2] In practice, the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) and the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) are the only conferences that do not receive automatic bids for the tournament.

Conference of New England

University of New England

Schools in the CNE

The Conference of New England (CNE; known before the 2024–25 season as the Commonwealth Coast Conference) is a college athletic conference which operates in New England. It added women's ice hockey by taking over the former Colonial Hockey Conference (CHC; previously ECAC North Atlantic) in 2020. As of the 2025–26 season, there are seven member programs:

Curry College (Colonels) – Milton, Massachusetts
Endicott College (Gulls) – Beverly, Massachusetts
Johnson & Wales University (Wildcats) – Providence, Rhode Island
Nichols College (Bison) – Dudley, Massachusetts
Suffolk University (Rams) – Boston, Massachusetts
University of New England (Nor'easters) – Biddeford, Maine
Western New England University (Golden Bears) – Springfield, Massachusetts

Little East Conference

Keene State

NEC

Plymouth State

Schools in the LEC

Castleton

Norwich

Schools in the LEC

Southern Maine

Schools in the LEC

UMass Boston

Schools in the LEC

The Little East Conference, operating in New England, launched its women's ice hockey league for the 2025–26 season.^[3] With the formation of the conference, the New England Hockey Conference (NEHC; previously ECAC East) was discontinued. The seven members of the conference include:

Keene State College (Owls) – Keene, New Hampshire
New England College (Pilgrims) – Henniker, New Hampshire
Norwich University (Cadets) – Northfield, Vermont
Plymouth State University (Panthers) – Plymouth, New Hampshire
University of Massachusetts Boston (Beacons) – Boston, Massachusetts
University of Southern Maine (Huskies) – Gorham, Maine
Vermont State University Castleton (Spartans) – Castleton, Vermont

Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference

Anna Maria

Framingham State

MCLA

Rivier

Salem State

Worcester State

Schools in the MASCAC

The MASCAC has six members:

Anna Maria College (Amcats) – Paxton, Massachusetts
Framingham State University (Rams) – Framingham, Massachusetts
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (Trailblazers) – North Adams, Massachusetts
Rivier University (Raiders) – Nashua, New Hampshire
Salem State University (Vikings) – Salem, Massachusetts
Worcester State University (Lancers) – Worcester, Massachusetts

Middle Atlantic Conferences

Alvernia

Arcadia

King's

Lebanon Valley

Neumann

Wilkes

Schools in the MAC

Hood

Stevenson

Schools in the MAC

The Middle Atlantic Conferences contain eight members:

Alvernia University (Golden Wolves) – Reading, Pennsylvania
Arcadia University (Knights) – Glenside, Pennsylvania
Hood College (Blazers) – Frederick, Maryland
King's College (Monarchs) – Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Lebanon Valley College (Flying Dutchmen) – Annville, Pennsylvania
Neumann University (Knights) – Aston, Pennsylvania
Stevenson University (Mustangs) – Baltimore County, Maryland
Wilkes University (Colonels) – Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

Augsburg

Bethel

Saint Benedict

Concordia

Gustavus Adolphus

Hamline

Saint Mary's

St. Catherine

St. Olaf

St. Scholastica

Schools in the MIAC

The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) is a college athletic conference located in Minnesota. The women's ice hockey programs that compete in the MIAC include:^[4]

Augsburg University (Auggies) – Minneapolis, Minnesota
Bethel University (Royals) – St. Paul, Minnesota
College of Saint Benedict (Bennies) – St. Joseph, Minnesota
Concordia College (Cobblers) – Moorhead, Minnesota
Gustavus Adolphus College (Golden Gusties) – St. Peter, Minnesota
Hamline University (Pipers) – St. Paul, Minnesota
Saint Mary's University (Cardinals) – Winona, Minnesota
St. Catherine University (Wildcats) – St. Paul, Minnesota
St. Olaf College (Oles) – Northfield, Minnesota
College of St. Scholastica (Saints) – Duluth, Minnesota

The most recent change to the MIAC membership came after the 2020–21 season, when St. Thomas was expelled from the league and moved to NCAA Division I, joining the Summit League for most sports and the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WHCA) in women's ice hockey.^[5] St. Thomas was replaced by St. Scholastica.

New England Small College Athletic Conference

Amherst

Connecticut College

Trinity

Wesleyan

Williams

Schools in the NESCAC

Bowdoin

Colby

Schools in the NESCAC

Hamilton

Middlebury

Schools in the NESCAC

The New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) is a college athletic conference of liberal arts colleges and universities located in New England and New York. The member schools of the NESCAC are often referred to as the "Little Ivies." The women's ice hockey programs competing in the NESCAC are:^[6]

Amherst College (Mammoths) – Amherst, Massachusetts
Bowdoin College (Polar Bears) – Brunswick, Maine
Colby College (Mules) – Waterville, Maine
Connecticut College (Camels) – New London, Connecticut
Hamilton College (Continentals) – Clinton, New York
Middlebury College (Panthers) – Middlebury, Vermont
Trinity College (Bantams) – Hartford, Connecticut
Wesleyan University (Cardinals) – Middletown, Connecticut
Williams College (Ephs) – Williamstown, Massachusetts

Northern Collegiate Hockey Association

NCAA Division III women's ice hockey is located in USA Midwest

Adrian

Aurora

Concordia

Dubuque

Finlandia

Lake Forest

Lawrence

Marian

Milwaukee School of Engineering

St. Norbert

Trine

Schools in the NCHA

The Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) is a hockey-only conference, which operates in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin.^[7] The women's programs competing in the NCHA are:

Adrian College (Bulldogs) – Adrian, Michigan
Aurora University (Spartans) – Aurora, Illinois
Concordia University Wisconsin (Falcons) – Mequon, Wisconsin
University of Dubuque (Spartans) – Dubuque, Iowa
Finlandia University (Lions) – Hancock, Michigan
Lake Forest College (Foresters) – Lake Forest, Illinois
Lawrence University (Vikings) – Appleton, Wisconsin
Marian University (Sabres) – Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Milwaukee School of Engineering (Raiders) – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
St. Norbert College (Green Knights) – De Pere, Wisconsin
Trine University (Thunder) – Angola, Indiana

State University of New York Athletic Conference

Buffalo State

Morrisville

Canton

Cortland

Oswego

Plattsburgh State

Potsdam

William Smith

Schools in the SUNYAC

The SUNYAC, based in New York, absorbed the Northeast Women's Hockey League (NEWHL; successor of ECAC West). The conference has eight members:

Buffalo State University (Bengals) – Buffalo, New York
Morrisville State College (Mustangs) – Morrisville, New York
State University of New York at Canton (Roos) – Canton, New York
State University of New York at Cortland (Red Dragons) – Cortland, New York
State University of New York at Oswego (Lakers) – Oswego, New York
State University of New York at Plattsburgh (Cardinals) – Plattsburgh, New York
State University of New York at Potsdam (Bears) – Potsdam, New York
William Smith College (Herons) – Geneva, New York

United Collegiate Hockey Conference

Albertus Magnus

Chatham

Elmira

Hilbert

Manhattanville

Nazareth

St. John Fisher

Utica

Schools in the UCHC

The United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) is a hockey-only conference which operates in the Mid-Atlantic region. The women's programs competing in the UCHC are:

Albertus Magnus College (Falcons) – New Haven, Connecticut
Chatham University (Cougars) – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Elmira College (Soaring Eagles) – Elmira, New York
Hilbert College (Hawks) – Hamburg, New York
Manhattanville University (Valiants) – Purchase, New York
Nazareth University (Golden Flyers) – Pittsford, New York
St. John Fisher University (Cardinals) – Rochester, New York
Utica University (Pioneers) – Utica, New York

Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

Beloit

Wisconsin–Eau Claire

Wisconsin–River Falls

Wisconsin–Stevens Point

Wisconsin–Superior

Schools in the WIAC

The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) is a collegiate athletics conference in Wisconsin, primarily comprising institutions in the University of Wisconsin System. The women's ice hockey programs participating in the WIAC are:

Beloit College (Buccaneers) – Beloit, Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire (Blugolds) – Eau Claire, Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin–River Falls (Falcons) – River Falls, Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point (Pointers) – Stevens Point, Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin–Superior (Yellowjackets) – Superior, Wisconsin

Independents

Salve Regina

Independent schools

There is currently one independent team:

Salve Regina University (Seahawks) – Newport, Rhode Island

List of champions

Year	Champion	Score	Runner-up
2002	Elmira	2–1	Manhattanville
2003	Elmira	5–1	Manhattanville
2004	Middlebury	2–1	UW-Stevens Point
2005	Middlebury	4–3	Elmira
2006	Middlebury	3–1	Plattsburgh
2007	Plattsburgh	2–1	Middlebury
2008	Plattsburgh	3–2	Manhattanville
2009	Amherst	4–3 (OT)	Elmira
2010	Amherst	7–2	Norwich
2011	Norwich	5–2	RIT
2012	RIT	4–1	Norwich
2013	Elmira	1–0	Middlebury
2014	Plattsburgh	9–2	Norwich
2015	Plattsburgh	3–2	Elmira
2016	Plattsburgh	5–1	UW–River Falls
2017	Plattsburgh	4–3 (OT)	Adrian
2018	Norwich	2–1	Elmira
2019	Plattsburgh	4–0	Hamline
2020-2021	Cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic
2022	Middlebury	3–2 (OT)	Gustavus Adolphus
2023	Gustavus Adolphus	2–1 (3OT)	Amherst
2024	UW–River Falls	4–1	Elmira
2025	UW–River Falls	3–1	Amherst
2026	UW–River Falls	4–0	Nazareth

Laura Hurd Award

The Laura Hurd Award is an annual award given to the top player in NCAA Division III Women's Ice Hockey as awarded by the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA). Since 2007, it has been named after Laura Hurd, a stand-out player for Elmira College who was killed in a car accident. Previously, it was known as the Division III Women's Player of the Year Award.^[8]

Award winners

Year	Winner	Pos.	School
2000	Sylvia Ryan	F	Middlebury College
2001	Michelle Labbe	F	Middlebury College
2002	Sarah Moe	F	Gustavus Adolphus College
2003	Angela Kapus	F/D	Middlebury College
2004	Molly Wasserman	F	Williams College
2005	Laura Hurd	F	Elmira College
2006	Emily Quizon	F	Middlebury College
2007	Andrea Peterson	D	Gustavus Adolphus College
2008	Danielle Blanchard^[9]	F	SUNY Plattsburgh
2009	Kayla Coady	F	Elmira College
2010	Isabel Iwachiw	G	Trinity College
2011	Sarah Dagg^[10]	F	Rochester Institute of Technology
2012	Julie Fortier^[11]	F	Norwich University
2013	Teal Gove^[12]	F	SUNY Plattsburgh
2014	Sydney Aveson^[13]	G	SUNY Plattsburgh
2015	Ashley Ryan^[14]	F	Elmira College
2016	Michelle Greeneway	F	Lake Forest College
2017	Dani Sibley	F	UW-River Falls
2018	Melissa Sheeran	F	SUNY Plattsburgh
2019	Bre Simon^[15]	F	Hamline University
2020	Amanda Conway^[16]	F	Norwich University
2021	Not awarded
2022	Callie Hoff^[17]	F	UW-River Falls
2023	Darci Matson^[18]	F	Aurora University
2024	Maddie McCollins	F	UW-River Falls
2025	Bailey Olson	F	UW-River Falls
2026	Megan Goodreau	F	UW-River Falls

References

^ "Women's Division III Hockey Standings: 2019-2020". USCHO.com. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
^ "Morrisville, Canton will join NEWHL in 2019-20". Northeast Women's Hockey League (Press release). 2017-11-02. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
^ "Norwich Tops First-Ever LEC Women's Ice Hockey Preseason Coaches' Poll". littleeast.com. 2026-03-27. Retrieved 2026-03-31.
^ "Women's Ice Hockey Team Pages". Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletics Conference. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
^ Jay, Michelle (2020-07-15). "University of St. Thomas joins the WCHA for 2021-22 season". The Ice Garden. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
^ "2019-20 Women's Ice Hockey Standings". New England Small College Athletic Conference. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
^ "A History of Women's Hockey and the NCHA". Northern Collegiate Hockey Association. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
^ "AHCA Awards – Laura Hurd Award". American Hockey Coaches Association. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
^ "American Hockey Coaches Association". American Hockey Coaches Association (Press release). Archived from the original on 2012-03-29. Retrieved 2016-07-21.
^ "Tiger hockey – women and men – set national records at season's end". RIT News. 2011-04-12. Archived from the original on 2016-07-14. Retrieved 2016-07-21.
^ Dunning, Derek (2012-03-15). "Julie Fortier wins Laura Hurd Award". USCHO.com. Retrieved 2016-07-21.
^ "Teal Gove of Plattsburgh State is D-III Women's Player of the Year". American Hockey Coaches Association. Archived from the original on 2016-08-16. Retrieved 2016-07-21.
^ "Sydney Aveson wins Laura Hurd Award; Women's All-Americans announced". D3Hockey.com. Archived from the original on 2016-08-20. Retrieved 2016-07-21.
^ "Ashley Ryan of Elmira is D-III Women's Hockey Player of the Year". American Hockey Coaches Association. Archived from the original on 2016-08-16. Retrieved 2016-07-21.
^ "Hamline's Bre Simon is 2019 Laura Hurd Award Winner as AHCA Division III Women's Player of the Year". American Hockey Coaches Association (Press release). 2019-03-14. Retrieved 2016-07-21.
^ "Norwich's Amanda Conway is 2020 Laura Hurd Award Winner As AHCA Division III Women's Player of the Year". American Hockey Coaches Association. 2020-03-26. Retrieved 2020-10-25.
^ "UW-River Falls' Callie Hoff is 2022 Laura Hurd Award Winner As AHCA Division III Women's Player of the Year". American Hockey Coaches Association. 5 April 2019. Retrieved 2022-04-07.
^ "Matson wins Laura Hurd Award". Aurora University Athletics. Retrieved 2023-03-19.

External links

NCAA Division III women ice hockey page

[1] "Women's Division III Hockey Standings: 2019-2020". USCHO.com. Retrieved 2021-02-02.

[2] "Morrisville, Canton will join NEWHL in 2019-20". Northeast Women's Hockey League (Press release). 2017-11-02. Retrieved 2021-02-03.

[3] "Norwich Tops First-Ever LEC Women's Ice Hockey Preseason Coaches' Poll". littleeast.com. 2026-03-27. Retrieved 2026-03-31.

[4] "Women's Ice Hockey Team Pages". Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletics Conference. Retrieved 2021-02-02.

[5] Jay, Michelle (2020-07-15). "University of St. Thomas joins the WCHA for 2021-22 season". The Ice Garden. Retrieved 2021-02-02.

[6] "2019-20 Women's Ice Hockey Standings". New England Small College Athletic Conference. Retrieved 2021-02-03.

[7] "A History of Women's Hockey and the NCHA". Northern Collegiate Hockey Association. Retrieved 2021-02-02.

[8] "AHCA Awards – Laura Hurd Award". American Hockey Coaches Association. Retrieved 2021-02-03.

[ahcahockey-9] "American Hockey Coaches Association". American Hockey Coaches Association (Press release). Archived from the original on 2012-03-29. Retrieved 2016-07-21.

[rit-10] "Tiger hockey – women and men – set national records at season's end". RIT News. 2011-04-12. Archived from the original on 2016-07-14. Retrieved 2016-07-21.

[uscho-11] Dunning, Derek (2012-03-15). "Julie Fortier wins Laura Hurd Award". USCHO.com. Retrieved 2016-07-21.

[ahcahockey2-12] "Teal Gove of Plattsburgh State is D-III Women's Player of the Year". American Hockey Coaches Association. Archived from the original on 2016-08-16. Retrieved 2016-07-21.

[d3hockey-13] "Sydney Aveson wins Laura Hurd Award; Women's All-Americans announced". D3Hockey.com. Archived from the original on 2016-08-20. Retrieved 2016-07-21.

[ahcahockey3-14] "Ashley Ryan of Elmira is D-III Women's Hockey Player of the Year". American Hockey Coaches Association. Archived from the original on 2016-08-16. Retrieved 2016-07-21.

[15] "Hamline's Bre Simon is 2019 Laura Hurd Award Winner as AHCA Division III Women's Player of the Year". American Hockey Coaches Association (Press release). 2019-03-14. Retrieved 2016-07-21.

[16] "Norwich's Amanda Conway is 2020 Laura Hurd Award Winner As AHCA Division III Women's Player of the Year". American Hockey Coaches Association. 2020-03-26. Retrieved 2020-10-25.

[17] "UW-River Falls' Callie Hoff is 2022 Laura Hurd Award Winner As AHCA Division III Women's Player of the Year". American Hockey Coaches Association. 5 April 2019. Retrieved 2022-04-07.

[18] "Matson wins Laura Hurd Award". Aurora University Athletics. Retrieved 2023-03-19.

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v t e NCAA Division III ice hockey conferences
Current	Conference of New England Little East Conference Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Middle Atlantic Conferences Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference New England Small College Athletic Conference Northern Collegiate Hockey Association State University of New York Athletic Conference United Collegiate Hockey Conference Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
NCAA	College ice hockey NCAA Division III Championships: Men / Women
Former	Colonial Hockey Conference ECAC West ECAC Northeast Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association New England Hockey Conference Northeast Women's Hockey League

v t e National Collegiate Athletic Association
NCAA	Amateurism Awards Conferences Hall of Champions Sanity Code
Division I	Institutions Athletic directors Non-football programs Realignment 1928–1999 2000s 2010s 2020s Baseball championship MCWS Basketball men women Cross country men women Field hockey championship Football FBS FCS Golf men women Ice hockey men Lacrosse men women Rowing women Soccer men women Softball championship WCWS Swimming and diving men women Tennis men women Track and field men's indoor and outdoor women's indoor and outdoor Volleyball men women Wrestling men Schools with most national championships Schools with most championships
Division II	Institutions Baseball championship Basketball men women Bowling women from 2027–28 Cross country men women Field hockey championship Football championship Golf men women Gymnastics men women Ice hockey men Lacrosse men women Rowing women Soccer men women Softball championship Swimming and diving men women Tennis men women Track and field men's indoor and outdoor women's indoor and outdoor Volleyball men women Wrestling men
Division III	Institutions Baseball championship Basketball men women Cross country men women Field hockey championship Football championship Golf men women Ice hockey men women Lacrosse men women Rowing women Soccer men women Softball championship Swimming and diving men women Tennis men women Track and field Men's indoor and outdoor Women's indoor and outdoor Volleyball men women Wrestling men women from 2027–28
Single-division or National Collegiate sports and championships	Acrobatics & tumbling women from 2026–27 Beach volleyball women Bowling women Boxing championship Fencing men's and women's championships Ice hockey women Gymnastics men women Rifle championship Skiing championship Stunt women from 2026–27 Trampoline championship Volleyball men Water polo men women Wrestling women
Litigation	NCAA v. Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma (1984) NCAA v. Smith (1999) O'Bannon v. NCAA (2015) Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association (2018) National Collegiate Athletic Association v. Alston (2021) House v. NCAA (2024)
Related topics	College athletics in the United States Championship game outcomes NCAA University Division Transfer portal
events listed in italics have been discontinued Category

v t e NCAA Emerging Sports for Women
Emerging sports	Equestrian (champions) (2002–present) Flag football (2026–) Rugby (champions) (2003–present) Triathlon (champions) (2014–present)
NCAA sports	Rowing (pre-NCAA) NCAA: (DI, DII, DIII) (1994–1997) Ice cockey (pre-NCAA) NCAA: (DI, DIII) (1994–2001) Water polo (pre-NCAA) NCAA: (Single-division) (1994–2001) Bowling (pre-NCAA) NCAA: (Single-division; DII from 2028) (1994–2004) Beach volleyball (pre-NCAA) NCAA: (Single-division) (2010–2015) Wrestling (pre-NCAA) NCAA: (Single-division; DIII from 2028)) (2020–2025) Acrobatics & tumbling (2020 – 2026) Stunt (2023–2026)
Dropped sports	Archery (champions) (1994–2015) Badminton (AIAW, champions) (1994–2015) Squash (champions) (1994–2015) Synchronized swimming (AIAW, champions) (1994–2015) Team handball (champions) (1994–2015)

v t e Women's ice hockey leagues in North America
Professional	Professional Women's Hockey League
Senior	Golden Blades Women's Hockey League Lower Lakers Female Hockey League Mid-Atlantic Women's Hockey League National Capital Women's Hockey League Winnipeg Women's Hockey League
Collegiate	Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference Central Collegiate Women's Hockey Association Eastern Collegiate Women's Hockey League Western Women's Collegiate Hockey League Women's Midwest College Hockey Hockey collégial féminin RSEQ U Sports NCAA Division I NCAA Division III
Junior	Junior Women's Hockey League Manitoba Women's Junior Hockey League Ontario Women's Hockey League
Related article List of ice hockey leagues Hockey Canada USA Hockey

Conferences

Conference of New England

Little East Conference

Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference

Middle Atlantic Conferences

Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

New England Small College Athletic Conference

Northern Collegiate Hockey Association

State University of New York Athletic Conference

United Collegiate Hockey Conference

Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

Independents

List of champions

Laura Hurd Award

Award winners

See also

References

External links