WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The Adrian College NCAA women's hockey team opens the NCAA Tournament on Saturday afternoon with a first-round matchup on the road against Wilkes University. The Bulldogs earned the No. 11 seed based on the NPI rankings, while Wilkes enters as the No. 6 seed. In the USCHO.com Coaches Poll, Adrian is ranked No. 6 and Wilkes sits at No. 12.
The Bulldogs finished the regular season and Slaats Cup Playoffs with a 24-5-0 overall record. Wilkes enters the tournament with a 24-1-1 record. Both teams earned automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament after winning their respective conferences. Adrian claimed the NCHA regular season title and Slaats Cup championship, while Wilkes captured both the MAC regular season and conference tournament titles.
Adrian's offense is powered by four players with 40 or more points this season. Riley Johnson recently reached the 100-point milestone and leads the Bulldogs with 54 points on 23 goals and 31 assists during her senior campaign. Paige Pomerleau has recorded 43 points on 23 goals and 20 assists, followed by Courtney Ben with 25 goals and 16 assists for 41 points. Emma Simon rounds out the group with 40 points on nine goals and 31 assists. Wilkes features two skaters with 40 or more points, including a forward with 53 points on 17 goals and 36 assists, and another forward with 46 points on 22 goals and 24 assists.
Statistically, the two teams match up closely. Both offenses average 4.9 goals per game. Wilkes allows 1.1 goals per contest, while Adrian allows 1.3. The teams are also similar in total shots on goal, with Wilkes recording 1,157 shots in 26 games and Adrian tallying 1,138 shots in 29 games. Adrian holds the edge on special teams, converting on 33.3 percent of its power-play opportunities compared to Wilkes' 24.4 percent. The Bulldogs also boast a 90.9 percent penalty kill, slightly ahead of Wilkes' 89.5 percent mark.
Wilkes will likely turn to Audrey Milne in goal. The junior netminder holds a 20-1-1 record this season with eight shutouts, a 1.18 goals-against average, and a .946 save percentage. Adrian is expected to start Kiera Stack, who owns a 21-5-0 record with eight shutouts, a 1.27 goals-against average, and a .946 save percentage.
Adrian also brings experience against top competition into the matchup, having played 10 games this season against teams ranked in the USCHO Coaches Poll or receiving votes. Wilkes has faced one ranked opponent this season, which came in its season opener. Adrian ranks 54th in strength of schedule among 79 NCAA Division III teams, while Wilkes ranks 67th.
The winner of Saturday's first-round matchup will advance to the NCAA Quarterfinals to face No. 2 Nazareth on Saturday, March 21. Puck drop between Adrian and Wilkes is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET at the Toyota SportsPlex in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
