Women’s D-I weekend picks March 8: Tournament semis present intriguing matchups with BC versus BU and Colgate versus Clarkson

Maddie Rooney (Minnesota Duluth Athletics)
Maddie Rooney will need to be at her best if the Bulldogs hope to upset Minnesota again. (Minnesota Duluth Athletics)

We’ve only got two weekends left after this one in what has been a fascinating season. In the first weekend of postseason play, I went 22-5-1 (.803), while Nicole went 17-10-1 (.625). On the year, I have now increased my lead on her to 24 games, as I am 335-115-63 (.714), while Nicole is 311-139-63 (.667). Too bad we didn’t make a beer bet at the start of the season!

Friday, March 8

CHA Tournament

Robert Morris versus Syracuse
Candace: The Colonials swept the Orange a week ago, so I like them to advance to the NCAA tournament. Robert Morris 3-2
Nicole: Robert Morris had the better or the Orange this season so I’m picking them. Robert Morris 3-1

Saturday, March 9

ECAC Tournament

No. 7 Princeton versus No. 5 Cornell
Candace: Princeton won this one the last time out, and Cornell struggled last weekend. Princeton 3-2
Nicole: Princeton has their back to the wall and they had the better of Cornell over the course of the season, so I’ll take them. Princeton 4-2

No. 4 Clarkson versus No. 10 Colgate
Candace: It’s March. Clarkson is a different team in March. Clarkson 3-2
Nicole: My record is so poor it doesn’t matter, so I think I’m going for the double-upset. Colgate seems to be the only team that has figured out how to shut down Clarkson’s offense, so I’ll take the Raiders. Colgate 3-2

Hockey East Tournament

No. 3 Northeastern versus Providence
Candace: Providence has been too inconsistent for me to pick them to upset Northeastern. Northeastern 4-3
Nicole: I think this one is all Northeastern. Northeastern 3-1

No. 8 Boston University versus No. 6 Boston College
Candace: This one will be tough and hard-fought. I think the Eagles will get revenge for the two losses in December. Boston College 4-2
Nicole: This is the most interesting game of the weekend to me. I’m going to pick Boston University here. I like how they’ve improved as the season went on and again, they’re a team in a must-win situation. Boston University 4-2

WCHA Tournament

Minnesota Duluth versus No. 1 Minnesota
Candace: While the Bulldogs give the Gophers fits, I like Minnesota to win. Minnesota 4-2
Nicole: I think I have to go with Minnesota at home here. Minnesota 2-1

No. 9 Ohio State versus No. 2 Wisconsin
Candace: While Ohio State will be desperate to continue its season, I think the Badgers offense seems to have clicked. Wisconsin 4-2
Nicole: After last weekend, I’m picking the Badgers. Wisconsin 4-2