We’ve entered a new era for the Women’s Beanpot.
The past few years have been full of milestones. In 2024, during the 45th annual tournament, TD Garden hosted the Women’s Beanpot championship for the first time ever. In 2025, a crowd of 13,279 cheered on their Terriers and Huskies, setting a record for the largest crowd to ever watch a women’s hockey game in New England.
In 2026, for the third-straight year, the final will again be played in TD Garden. Also for the third-straight year? The Boston University Terriers will play in the Beanpot championship.
The Terriers knocked off No. 7 Northeastern, the three-time defending champion, the winningest team in Women’s Beanpot history and the team that has beaten BU in the championship game the last two years. It’s a massive win for BU, which has only won the Beanpot twice in the tournament’s 47-year history. But the Terriers face a tough task next week as they take on the next-most decorated Beanpot contender, the Harvard Crimson.
Here’s how each team advanced to the final:
Harvard edges Boston College, 2-1
For the first time since 2022, Harvard is heading back to the Women’s Beanpot championship. The Crimson took down Boston College, 2-1, in a tightly contested defensive battle.
The win brought even more milestones for the Crimson. It’s their 10th win of the season, the first time Harvard has won double digit games under head coach Laura Bellamy. Morgan McGathey became the first Harvard rookie since 2022 to score in the Beanpot, weaving between three BC defenders in an incredible solo effort, and tucking the puck past the goaltender while being tripped in the slot. She is now tied with fellow first-year Carla McSweeney for the team-leading six goals.
Always go hard to the net 🫡#GoCrimson x #OneCrimson pic.twitter.com/IReuUWlvdS
— Harvard Women’s Hockey (@HarvardWHockey) January 13, 2026
Kaley MacDonald added another highlight-reel goal in the third period, her first of the season, walking down the half wall and roofing one short side over the goalie’s shoulder for the eventual game-winner.
KALEY MACDONALD. BAR SOUTH. 🎯
📺 NESN | https://t.co/mMcWnmjJDz
💻 ESPN+ | https://t.co/W0lbrlDbUO
📊 Stats | https://t.co/5yPkPCCYcx#GoCrimson x #OneCrimson pic.twitter.com/z9JMtsOyFO— Harvard Women’s Hockey (@HarvardWHockey) January 13, 2026
Harvard moves on to the championship game Jan. 20, searching for its 16th Beanpot championship, second only to Northeastern’s 20.
Boston University upsets No. 7 Northeastern in overtime, 2-1
Boston University is heading back to the Women’s Beanpot Championship Game for the third-straight year, defeating the three-time defending champion Northeastern Huskies. The Terriers came out hot on home ice, testing Northeastern goalie Lisa Jönsson with a few early scoring chances. They found the back of the net nearly five minutes in as Lexie Bertelsen powered her way to the net, picking up her own rebound and sliding it past Jönsson for the game’s first goal.
Here’s a look at Lexie’s goal!
Watch: https://t.co/4xrR0Jk3tY@espn | @hockey_east | @nesn#GoBU pic.twitter.com/0QpxekBjwf
— BU Women’s Hockey (@TerrierWHockey) January 14, 2026
Northeastern evened the score a few minutes later—Lily Shannon chopped at a loose puck in the low slot that snuck by the near post, but that would be the last goal of regulation. It was back-and-forth action in the second and third period, and the Huskies really turned up the heat in the third, piling up 19 shots to BU’s 12 and dominating play for the majority of the frame. But BU goaltender Mari Pietersen stood tall, making 35 saves to help send this one to overtime.
It was just the 23rd overtime game in the 47-year history of the Women’s Beanpot, but it’s familiar territory for these two squads, as Northeastern took BU down in OT in the 2024 championship game. Looking for revenge for the past two years, the Terriers came out flying in OT, drawing a slashing penalty and heading to the powerplay. Senior captain Maeve Carey delivered the dagger, burying a wrist shot from the slot to send the Terriers to the title game once again.
The winner, from the captain. And an enormous roar from the Walter Brown crowd.#Beanpot pic.twitter.com/uxYBn8lWf9
— Boston Hockey Blog (@BOShockeyblog) January 14, 2026
The Terriers search for their third Beanpot title, while Harvard looks to narrow the gap between itself and Northeastern with its 16th win. The championship round is Tuesday, Jan. 20, with the third place game set for 4:30 p.m. and the championship scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at TD Garden.
