La Crosse’s Katie Kotlowski looking for 3rd National Championship with top-ranked Badgers
It’s the final run to a third NCAA championship for La Crosse’s Katie Kotlowski.
The defender for the top-ranked University of Wisconsin women’s hockey team (35-1-2) has been playing a key role for the Badgers since her freshman year.
She started as a freshman and helped Wisconsin win the National Championship 2-1 in overtime over Northeastern in 2020-21 — serving a 2-minute penalty in that matchup.
Kotlowski and Wisconsin won it again in 2023 1-0 over Ohio State. Last season, they lost 1-0 to the Buckeyes in the National Title game.
Kotlowski had an assist on Saturday in the Final Faceoff conference championship, where the Badgers beat fourth-ranked Minnesota 4-3.
Now, Wisconsin plays host in the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament. The Badgers will play at 2 p.m. Saturday against the winner of ninth-ranked Clarkson (24-12-2) and No. 13 Boston (24-11-2). Those two teams open the tourney at 7 p.m. March 13.
TOP PHOTO: FILE – Wisconsin women’s hockey defensive player, Katie Kotlowski lines up a pass. (Contributed photo)