Students packed Union South on Feb. 10 pridefully watching the highly anticipated Olympic women’s hockey matchup between Team USA and Canada, a game of special importance for the six current and former Badgers representing the U.S. this year.
Defender Caroline Harvey, right wing Kirsten Simms, goalie Ava McNaughton and forward-turned-defender Laila Edwards currently play for Wisconsin, while Badger alumni Britta Curl-Salemme and five-time Olympian Hilary Knight round out the Badgers represented on this year’s Olympic squad.
As Team USA took the ice in Milan, students in Union South spoke with praise and amazement for their talented peers, describing Wisconsin women’s hockey as “the best among the rest in Wisconsin Athletics,” “a true dynasty” and “the true source of pride for Badgers everywhere.”
“I’m a huge fan of women’s hockey, and seeing our players play at a super high level is awesome,” freshman Adrianna Mathiason said. “[As a Wisconsin sport] it ranks extremely high for me, if not the number one.”
Junior Frankie Milanowski said it was clear to him what sport rules Wisconsin athletics. “It means a whole lot to me. They’re the best team and the best coach. They’re a true dynasty with multiple championships, and our women’s ice hockey program is amazing,” he said. “I’ve seen a girl from my neighborhood make it to the Olympics because of this program, and it’s just a massive feeling of pride.”
“I’m extremely, extremely impressed,” said Molly Cole, a senior who goes to Badgers women’s hockey games often. “No sports team in this university can do what this team does.”
Wisconsin’s women’s hockey program holds the record for most NCAA championships won and is tied for the most titles of any Wisconsin Athletics’ program, winning eight total NCAA titles in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2019, 2021, 2023 and most recently in 2025.
Kirsten Simms scored the winning goal in the 4-3 overtime win against the Ohio State Buckeyes just last March. Consistency under renowned head coach Mark Johnson has solidified this program’s legacy in Badger sports history.
Senior Danny Mitchell was in awe of the magnitude of Badger talent on the Olympic team. “There are only 23 players on that team, and more than a quarter of them being Badgers is just amazing,” he said. When asked about what he feels as a student watching them play on the international stage, he said, “Our university is prestigious for sports and hockey is one of the top, if not the top. I just feel a lot of pride as a student.”
Much to everyone’s satisfaction, the U.S. dominated their border rival Canada 5-0, with three of the five goals scored by current Wisconsin players Harvey, Simms and Edwards.
The U.S. women’s ice hockey team continued its dominance over the past few days of the Winter Olympics with a 6-0 quarterfinal win over the hosts Italy, with Edwards — the first Black player on the U.S. women’s hockey team — contributing one goal. In the semifinals, the U.S. once again crushed their opponent, beating Sweden 5-0 and putting them in the finals Feb. 19 against Canada.
