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Sun, Mar 15 Final
ACHA W. Ice Hockey
8
vs Ohio St.
0
Centene Community Centre, St. Louis, MO
Mon, Mar 16 Final
ACHA W. Ice Hockey
4
vs Rowan
1
Centene Community Centre, St. Louis, MO
Tue, Mar 17 Final
ACHA W. Ice Hockey
2
vs Providence College
1
Centene Community Centre, St. Louis, MO
Canadian rivals meet for third straight ACHA D2 final as Sault looks to cement its dynasty before moving up to Division I
Canadian rivals meet for third straight ACHA D2 final as Sault looks to cement its dynasty before moving up to Division I
Posted: Mar 18, 2026

Sault College battles Assiniboine for glory and historic four-peat in the Clash of Cougars

Thiago Neuenschwander
tneuenschwan@saultcollege.ca

For the third consecutive year, the ACHA Women's Division II National Championship will be decided in a true Clash of the Cougars.

Sault College and Assiniboine College secured their spots in the final on Wednesday afternoon (March 18) with semifinal victories over the University of Saint Thomas (7–0) and Boston College (3–2), respectively.

Now, the Cougars from Sault Ste. Marie are one win away from making history. A victory would deliver a fourth national title, establishing the program as the most successful team in ACHA Division II history since the division's inception in 2007. The championship game is set for Thursday (March 19) at 6 p.m. at the USA Arena/CCIC in St. Louis, Missouri.

Sault College left no doubt in its semifinal matchup, overwhelming the University of Saint Thomas in a commanding 7–0 win. The tone was set early in the first period, as forward Taryn Sullivan—one of the tournament's standout performers—scored twice to give Sault full control of the game. The defending three-time champions elevated their play even further in the second period, with Danika West netting twice and Emma Lee adding another goal to extend the lead. With the outcome all but decided, head coach Megan Dubas' squad eased off the pace in the third period but still found the net through Aaliyah Fantazir and Katelynn Jacques to cap off the dominant performance.

This marks the third straight year that Sault College and Assiniboine College will meet in the national final. Last season, Sault delivered a decisive 6–2 victory to claim the title, after also defeating Assiniboine 3–0 in the 2024 final. The program's rise began in 2023, when Sault captured its first national championship with a 6–1 win over Northeastern University.

Both Canadian teams enter the final undefeated, each holding a perfect 4–0 record in the tournament. Assiniboine brings the most productive offense so far, with 26 goals scored compared to Sault's 21. Sault, meanwhile, counters with the tournament's best defensive record, having allowed just two goals. Individually, Taryn Sullivan leads the way with six goals and one assist in four games.

If victorious, Sault College will close out its Division II era as the most successful program in league history, surpassing the Rainy River Voyageurs (now Minnesota North) with four national titles. With a move to Division I on the horizon next season, the final represents not just another championship opportunity, but the chance to cement a lasting dynasty.