Preview: Penn State, Wisconsin Collide in Women’s Hockey Showdown

MINNEAPOLIS (Interstat) — A titanic clash between the nation’s top two women’s college hockey teams is set for Friday, March 20, 2026, as the second-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions face the top-ranked Wisconsin Badgers at Mariucci Arena.

The matchup features powerhouse programs with nearly identical stellar records. Penn State (33-5-0) arrives as the visiting team, while Wisconsin (32-4-0) holds the home designation for the neutral-site contest in Minneapolis.

The game pits Penn State’s defensive fortress against Wisconsin’s explosive offense. The Nittany Lions are anchored by goaltender Katie DeSa, who is in exceptional form. DeSa is coming off a 36-save shutout in a 3-0 win over Princeton on March 14 and has allowed just two goals on 63 shots over her last two starts.

She will face her toughest test against Wisconsin’s high-scoring forward Kelly Gorbatenko. The Badgers’ left wing is on a tear, recording a hat trick in a 6-0 rout of Franklin Pierce on March 14. In her last seven games, Gorbatenko has tallied nine goals and one assist, including a four-goal performance against St. Cloud State on Feb. 21.

Both teams are riding significant momentum. Penn State has won nine of its last ten games, with its only loss in that span a 3-2 defeat to RIT on Feb. 13. Wisconsin has been equally dominant, winning nine of its last ten, with a narrow 2-1 loss to Ohio State on March 8 as the sole blemish.

The most productive players from each team’s last outing will be key. For Penn State, center Tessa Janecke and left wing Matilde Fantin each scored in the win over Princeton. For Wisconsin, right wing Lacey Eden had a goal and an assist alongside Gorbatenko’s hat trick.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, this offensive duel is projected to be a high-scoring affair, with Wisconsin edging Penn State 7-6. If the forecast holds true, fans in Minneapolis will witness a classic between the sport’s elite.