Molly Jordan Decides Game 3 of the Border Battle

Claudia Staut/Golden Gophers Athletics

In a long-awaited matchup, the Wisconsin Badgers headed to Gopher Territory for the second round of the Border Battle. The rivalry goes way back to when women’s hockey became an NCAA sport in 1999, as an extension of the broader rivalry from the two schools. The Golden Gophers lead the all-time series 60-58-16. 

In the first matchup of the season in Wisconsin, the Golden Gophers got their revenge on the Badgers after they eliminated the Gophers in the Final Four, but the Badgers would even the season series in Game 2. Both teams have remained in the top 4 of WCHA all season with the Badgers holding onto the number one spot. 

The matchup comes at an odd time in the season, with both major programs missing key pieces due to the Olympics. In major leagues like the PWHL, the season pauses for the month, but in the NCAA things carry on. With a lot of players headed over to Italy, it serves as a good test for both programs, to see what they can do without their big stars, and find the gaps they need to fill next season. 

Minnesota has been a more well-rounded group finding contributions from everyone throughout the season. While the majority of Wisconsin’s contributions have come from Caroline Harvey, Laila Edwards, and Kirsten Simms, all of which are representing the USA at the 2026 Olympic Games. 

Opening things up in Minnesota was senior defender Sydney Morrow with her 8th of the season with assists from Ava Lindsay and Jamie Nelson. The Badgers wouldn’t find an answer in the first but came back in the second with back-to-back goals coming from Lacey Eden and Finley McCarthy. In the third the Gophers were fighting for a comeback and midway through Avery Hovland capitalized on the rush tying the game, forcing overtime. 

The Gophers’ started overtime with a 34 second power-play allowing them to build their momentum early. Ending the game was Molly Jordan with her fourth of the season, pulling the puck from the Badgers before firing it top shelf, to upset number 1 Wisconsin. 

The teams are back in action today at 3 p.m. (EST) tune in to find out if the Gophers will take the series or if the Badgers will fight back to tie the series, and stay number 1.