Division 3 Women's Hockey Rankings
Women's college hockey has been growing in popularity in recent years, and Division 3 has seen an increase in competitive teams from across the country. With the regular season coming to an end and conference tournaments just around the corner, here is a comprehensive guide to the Division 3 Women's Hockey Rankings.
What is Division 3 Women's Hockey?
Division 3 women's hockey is a level of college hockey competition in the United States. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) governs Division 3 athletics, but unlike Division 1 and Division 2, Division 3 schools do not offer athletic scholarships. The focus of Division 3 is on the student-athlete experience and providing opportunities for all students to participate in athletics.
How are the Rankings Determined?
The Division 3 women's hockey rankings are determined by the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA). The AHCA is responsible for ranking teams based on factors such as strength of schedule, number of wins and losses, and overall performance throughout the season. The rankings are updated weekly during the season and are used to determine playoff seedings.
Top 10 Division 3 Women's Hockey Rankings
As of the latest rankings released on February 16th, here are the top 10 Division 3 women's hockey teams:
- Plattsburgh State
- Adrian College
- Elmira College
- Norwich University
- St. Thomas
- Manhattanville College
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls
- Amherst College
- University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
- Oswego State
Top Players to Watch
Division 3 women's hockey has seen an increase in talent in recent years, and there are many players to keep an eye on as the playoffs approach. Here are some of the top players to watch:
- Marissa Dunbar - Plattsburgh State
- Jessica VonRuden - Adrian College
- Taalibah Fuentes - Elmira College
- Amanda Conway - Norwich University
- Maddy Millar - St. Thomas
- Shannon Strawinski - Manhattanville College
- Hailey Herdine - University of Wisconsin-River Falls
- Miranda Bell - Amherst College
- Ashley Corcoran - University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
- Lizzy Viola - Oswego State
Playoff Picture
As the regular season comes to a close, teams are gearing up for conference tournaments and a chance to earn a spot in the NCAA tournament. The top eight teams in the rankings will earn a spot in the NCAA tournament, with the winner of each conference tournament receiving an automatic bid. Keep an eye on these teams as the playoffs approach:
- Plattsburgh State - SUNYAC Conference
- Adrian College - Northern Collegiate Hockey Association
- Elmira College - United Collegiate Hockey Conference
- Norwich University - New England Hockey Conference
- St. Thomas - Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
- Manhattanville College - Middle Atlantic Conference
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls - Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
- Amherst College - New England Small College Athletic Conference
Conclusion
Division 3 women's hockey continues to grow in popularity and competition, and the rankings provide a snapshot of the current state of the sport. As the playoffs approach, keep an eye on these top teams and players as they vie for a spot in the NCAA tournament.
