Often the difference between winning and losing in college hockey, goaltending becomes all the more more critical during a championship run. This became evident during Wisconsin’s ninth title run, as Badger goaltender Ava McNaughton backstopped the Wisconsin Badgers through the NCAA Frozen Four Championship after a dominant 28-2-2 regular season. She was named the Women’s Frozen Four’s Most Outstanding Player, becoming the fourth Badger goaltender to receive the honor.
To open the tournament, McNaughton secured her tenth shutout of the season with 17 saves against Quinnipiac in the quarterfinals. She recorded key game-winning saves against both Penn State and Ohio State, including a 34 save performance in the championship game. Her ability to come through during high pressure moments cemented her as the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.
“[McNaughton] made some saves, especially on Joy Dunne, to keep the momentum on our side,” Wisconsin head coach Mark Johnson said after the championship win.
Her dominance extends far beyond the tournament. McNaughton led the nation with a 1.35 goals-against average while recording 641 saves for a save percentage of .939. She also led the tournament with the highest win percentage and recorded the fourth most shutouts on the season.
Throughout her three years as a Badger, McNaughton has maintained a save percentage of .940 with a goal against average of 1.33. Her consistent performance earned her a spot on the U.S. Olympic women’s hockey roster, where she, along with three fellow Badgers, brought home gold. She was also named to the HCA Goaltender of the Year watchlist this season, for which she was a recipient in 2025.
“Sometimes the bounces go your way and sometimes they don’t,” McNaughton said. “That’s what goaltending is all about — having unique things that you are able to use to reset and being able to utilize at practice so you are ready to utilize them in big moments.”
Following her championship run, McNaughton is expected to remain a cornerstone for Wisconsin as the Badgers will look to build towards working on their tenth national title next season.
