Joy Dunne’s late goal lifts Buckeyes to second national title in three years

David DeGuzman
·2 min read

DURHAM, N.H. (WCMH) — In a rematch of the 2023 title game, this time it’s Ohio State back on top with the Buckeyes winning, 1-0, over Wisconsin in the national championship game at Whittemore Center Arena on Sunday afternoon.

True freshman Joy Dunne scored the lone goal at the 12:50 mark of the third period with Hannah Bilka and Cayla Barnes credited for the assist. Ohio State’s Raygan Kirk made 26 saves in goal.

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“Going back to when I made my decision to come to Ohio State, the goal was to win a national championship, to become a better player everyday. This team is so much of a family,” Dunne said. “Like yes, I scored the goal but there’s so much in that game. Blocks, great saves, it took a team, it took a village, it took behind the scenes work, it took our Monday practices, it took everything. And so just like this is what we worked for and I’m just so thankful because this is an amazing team to win a national championship with.”

The win marks Ohio State’s second national championship in three years and avenges last year’s 1-0 loss to the Badgers, who were looking to be the first team to win back-to-back titles since Clarkson in 2018. The all-WCHA match-up was Ohio State’s third consecutive appearance in the national championship game.

“I’m just very humbled to be sitting here. You have these visions throughout the year but when it really happens, it seems so surreal,” head coach Nadine Muzeral said. “Congrats to the players and all their hard work that they put in throughout the year. Congratulations to Wisconsin, that was one hell of a game. Both teams really battled hard.”

This was the sixth meeting of the season between the two teams and the win was Ohio State’s first-ever over the Badgers in the NCAA tournament.

The Buckeyes finish the 2023-24 campaign with a 35-4-0 record, extending a program record for wins in a single season.

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