November 02, 2026 | Women's Hockey
Six-point game earns second honors of the season for the freshman
MADISON, Wis. — Following a six-point game against St. Cloud State, freshman Nela Lopušanová earned both the WCHA Rookie and Forward of the Week honors, the conference announced on Monday.
Lopušanová earned her first NCAA career hat trick in the first period of Saturday's game before becoming just the second-ever Badger to score five goals in one game, alongside Hilary Knight who did so Sept. 27, 2008 against Quinnipiac. She also tallied an assist in the 7-2 victory.
The Žilina, Slovakia, native also became just the second NCAA women's ice hockey rookie to score five goals in a game, with the first being Katie Guay from Brown who scored six against Yale on Jan. 11, 2002.
She previously was named the WCHA Rookie of the Week on October 5, following a five-point weekend against Boston University.
Lopušanová currently leads the NCAA women's leaderboard in points for the season alongside fellow Badger, Cassie Hall. The freshman and senior duo respectively have 10 goals and 11 assists, each collecting 21 points in the first 10 games.
After the bye week, Lopušanová and the Badgers will return to play at LaBahn Arena to face St. Thomas on Saturday, Nov. 14, and Sunday, Nov. 15.
