On March 19th in St. Louis, Missouri, the 2026 ACHA DII Women’s National Championship featured an all-Canadian showdown as the Sault College Cougars from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario faced off against the Assiniboine College Cougars from Brandon, Manitoba. Entering the final as three-time defending champions, Sault College was determined to make history with a fourth consecutive national title—and they delivered.
The game’s only goal came less than a minute into the opening period. At 0:59, Payton Stos (Sudbury, Ontario) found the back of the net to give Sault College a 1-0 lead, with the lone assist going to Taryn Sullivan. That early strike would prove to be all the offense needed in a tightly contested championship battle.
From there, the spotlight shifted to the goaltenders, where Sault College’s Farrah Farstad (Sudbury, Ontario) was nothing short of outstanding. Farstad turned aside all 29 shots she faced to record a shutout on the biggest stage, backstopping the Cougars to victory. At the other end, Assiniboine’s Rachel Halldorson was equally impressive in defeat, making 37 saves on 38 shots to keep her team within reach throughout the game.
Sudbury, Ontario native Payton Stos was named the 2026 ACHA DII Women’s National Championship Most Valuable Player after delivering a standout performance, including scoring the game-winning goal in the national final.
Cougar Athletic Director Paul Orazietti told Saultsports “it obviously starts at the top with our coaches and the excellent staffs they have put together every year. Brianne Shunock and now Megan Dubas are not only outstanding XO people, but a responsible for all the recruiting and general operations including finding great coaches and support staff. Part B of the formula has been the outstanding support we received in varsity athletics and Sault College to continue to run these elite programs. As part of our strategic plan, the college has selectively invested to support sports that have the opportunity to play at the high levels and make our college in our community proud.”
“Moving into Division I the biggest challenge will be to draw and recruit even more talented hockey players to Sault College from around Canada. We have a great foundation and great coaches so I have no doubt that we will be successful at the division one level as well,” added Orazietti.
Through this transition. The college is committed to supporting Varsity athletics as it has in the past so that they will have all the resources required to continue to build our brand.
With the 1-0 win, the Sault College Cougars secured their fourth straight ACHA DII Women’s National Championship, continuing their dominant run at the national level. Following this historic achievement, the program now sets its sights on the future, as the Cougars prepare to move up to ACHA Division I for the fall of 2026, marking the next chapter in their already remarkable journey.
