Harvard used a convincing 7-1 victory over No. 7 New Hampshire, in which the Crimson dominated the Wildcats in shots 50 to 3, to solidify its hold on the top spot in this week’s USCHO.com Division I Women’s Poll. Harvard’s record improves to 11-1-0, outscoring opponents 72 to 12 in those 12 games. The Crimson captured 11 of 15 first-place votes, and finished with 145 points.
The only other team with just one loss finished as No. 2, with Minnesota-Duluth earning the remaining four first-place votes and 139 points, just six behind Harvard. The Crimson delivered the season’s only loss to the Bulldogs. UMD heads into the holiday break at 15-1-2 and in command with a comfortable four point lead in the women’s WCHA.
Minnesota finished at No. 3, having delivered Harvard its only loss of the season, and only losing to Minnesota-Duluth. The Gophers did not play this weekend, and are off until January 10th.
The largest movement this week came from No. 7 New Hampshire, which dropped two places after losing to No. 1 Harvard as well as to No. 4 Dartmouth. The Wildcats boast a 14-3-1 record, but are 2-3-1 against teams ranked in the top 10. New Hampshire will attempt to get back on track on January 4 while hosting receiving votes Brown.
No. 9 Princeton also fell one spot after splitting a weekend series against Ohio State, which received votes in this week’s poll.
The poll will return when play resumes following the holiday break, on Monday, January 6th.
The USCHO.com Poll is compiled by U.S. College Hockey Online, and consists of 15 voters, including 11 coaches of Division I programs and four women’s hockey writers.
