NORTHFIELD, Vt.- The second-ranked Norwich women's ice hockey team captured the inaugural Little East Conference (LEC) Championship Saturday afternoon, defeating UMass Boston 3–1 in front of a packed Kreitzberg Arena. The victory secured the 12th conference title in the program's 19-year history and the first since 2023.

Tournament Most Valuable Player Breanna Ricker (Laconia, N.H.) led the offensive charge with two goals, finishing the postseason tournament with three goals and an assist. Alex Leslie (Irishtown, N.B.) delivered the decisive moment with a power-play goal in the final two-and-a-half minutes. At the same time, Olivia Boyer (Saint Paul, Minn.) recorded two assists to reach the 100-career point milestone.

Norwich asserted control from the opening puck drop, hemming the Beacons in their own zone and peppering goaltender Leah Bosch with shots. Despite the early pressure, UMass Boston's defensive unit held firm, blocking several attempts and keeping Norwich from generating clean looks in the slot.

The breakthrough came following a Beacon icing midway through the opening period. On the ensuing faceoff in the left circle, Boyer won the draw cleanly back into the slot where Ricker stepped into the puck and rifled a shot from the inside hash marks past Bosch to give the Cadets a 1–0 lead.

UMass Boston responded with a push later in the period, sending several pucks toward Madison Brunet (Timmins, Ont.). The Norwich netminder remained steady, turning aside every attempt as the Cadets carried the one-goal advantage into the first intermission. Norwich held a commanding 14–2 edge in shots after twenty minutes.

The Cadets continued to dominate possession in the second period, repeatedly testing Bosch with shots from the point and traffic around the crease. Bosch delivered an impressive stretch of saves to keep the Beacons within striking distance.

UMass Boston capitalized on one of its limited opportunities just six minutes into the period. Off a faceoff win, Adriana Crepaldi sent a wrist shot through traffic that found the back of the net, evening the score at 1–1.

Both teams traded chances for the remainder of the period, but neither side could find the go-ahead tally. Through forty minutes, Norwich had built a 28–8 shot advantage, yet the game remained tied heading into the final frame.

The Cadets resumed their relentless attack in the third period, continuing to cycle the puck and search for the breakthrough goal. Midway through the frame, Norwich's penalty kill came up with a crucial stand, limiting the Beacons' opportunities and preserving the tie.

With time winding down, the Cadets earned a power play with just over three minutes remaining. The opportunity proved decisive.

Leslie intercepted a UMass Boston clearing attempt at the left point and worked the puck with Maggie Hunter (Royal Oak, Mich.) before stepping into a shot that beat Bosch high to the glove side. The goal ignited the Kreitzberg Arena crowd and restored Norwich's lead with just under two-and-a-half minutes to play.

UMass Boston immediately pulled Bosch for the extra attacker in search of the equalizer, but Norwich's defensive structure held firm. The Cadets prevented the Beacons from generating a shot during the closing push.

In the final minute, Dani Ammons (Centennial, Colo.) sprung Boyer and Ricker on a rush into the offensive zone. Boyer's initial attempt created a loose puck in front, and Ricker buried the rebound into the empty net to seal the victory. The assist marked Boyer's 100th career point, adding another milestone moment to the championship afternoon.

Behind the offense, Brunet delivered another composed performance between the pipes, turning aside key chances to anchor the win as Norwich controlled the pace throughout.

" I'm incredibly proud of this group," said Head Coach Justin Simpson. "With the LEC not having an automatic bid this season, every game on our schedule felt like a must-win playoff game. Because of that, the pressure we faced all year prepared us well for today's championship. Our team felt comfortable in that environment because we've been playing under those stakes all season long.

Our special teams were outstanding today. We came up with two big penalty kills, including one midway through the third period in a tie game that was a huge momentum shift. Then Alex Leslie delivered the game-winning goal on the power play.

Now we're looking forward to Selection Sunday and seeing how the NCAA Tournament bracket shakes out and whom we might face in the quarterfinals."

With the conference championship secured, Norwich now turns its attention to the national stage. The Cadets will learn their NCAA Tournament opponent during the NCAA Division III Women's Ice Hockey Selection Show, scheduled for 8:30 p.m. on March 8, as they await the next step in their postseason journey.