Ohio State redshirt junior goalie Kassidy Sauve (32) sits on the puck after a save in the first period of the game against Minnesota on Jan. 19. Ohio State won 3-2. Credit: Jack Westerheide | Photo Editor
The No. 5 Ohio State women’s hockey team has made history — again.
The Buckeyes reached the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history and now have a shot to bring home their first national title with three straight wins.
They will face fourth-seeded Boston College (30-4-3, 19-2-3 Hockey East) in the NCAA quarterfinals at 1 p.m. Saturday.
After losing 2-0 to Minnesota on Saturday during the WCHA Final Face-Off, the Buckeyes (23-10-4, 14-6-4 WCHA) were named an at-large team an at-large team in the tournament Sunday.
Ohio State will compete in the tournament with Clarkson, Mercyhurst, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Colgate, Northeastern and Boston College.
Each winner of the quarterfinals will advance to the 2018 Women’s Frozen Four. Should Ohio State win, it would face the winner of top-seeded Clarkson’s matchup against Mercyhurst.
Second-seeded Wisconsin will host Minnesota. No. 3 Colgate University hosts Northeastern University. Boston College holds the fourth seed in the tournament and hosts the Buckeyes.
Following two straight losing seasons, Ohio State made history this season by claiming the program record for wins in a season and at one point was ranked third in the country, higher than ever before in program history. A win in the NCAA tournament would add another improbable feat to the continued turnaround under second-year head coach Nadine Muzerall, who was named WCHA coach of the year.
The Buckeyes will lace up their skates and take the ice at the Conte Forum at 1 p.m. Saturday in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.
