Several DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Penguins Elite alumni will be taking the ice when the NCAA Women's Ice Hockey Tournament gets underway as five of the eight participating teams include former Pens Elite players. The tournament gets underway on March 15th in Erie, Pennsylvania. 

The #1 seed in the tournament is the Northeastern Huskies whose roster includes one former Pens Elite player in sophomore goaltender Gwyneth Philips. The Huskies’ first round opponent will be the #8 seed Robert Morris Colonials who feature both Angelica Diffendal and Ellie Marcovsky. Both Angelica, a senior, and Ellie, a freshman, play forward. Ellie hails from Mt. Lebanon and got her start in hockey through Sidney Crosby’s Little Penguins Learn to Play program. She is having an outstanding freshman season for the Colonials as she is currently tied for third in freshman scoring in the NCAA. Northeastern and Robert Morris will kick off the tournament on March 15th at 2:00 PM. 

The #2 seed in the tournament are the Wisconsin Badgers who play Providence in the first round. Sophomore Chayla Edwards plays defense and freshman Lacey Eden plays forward for the Badgers. Both Chayla and Lacey were named to the WCHA all-tournament team which is an outstanding accomplishment for a sophomore and a freshman. Lacey was also named February’s WCHA Rookie of the Month. She scored the WCHA playoff championship game winning goal in overtime to set up the Badgers for a run in the NCAA tournament. Wisconsin will take on Providence in their first round matchup on March 16th at 2:00 PM. 

Colgate is the #4 seed in the tournament and features three former Pens Elite players. Sophomore forward Kaitlyn O’Donohue, junior forward Delaney Mackay and junior forward Eleri Mackay make up the Raiders’ roster and all spent time in the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite organization. Colgate will play Minnesota-Duluth in their opening game of the tournament on March 15th at 7:00 PM.

The sixth seeded Boston College Eagles feature former Pens Elite forward Olivia O’Brien who is in her freshman season with the program. Boston College matches up with the #3 seed Ohio State on March 16th at 7:00 PM.

Congrats to all of the Pens Elite alumni taking place in the NCAA tournament and good luck!