The first championship under the AWCHA was played in 1998 and won by UNH. Harvard captured the second ever championship, bringing the Crimson's once-struggling club sport to the fore of national competition.

Harvard women's hockey had an inauspicious beginning as a club sport begun by interested undergraduates in 1977. A year later, the sport received varsity status, making it eligible to receive greater funding from Harvard.

Since that point, the team has only gotten better, winning several Beanpots, an ECAC Championship, sending various players to the Olympics, and taking the 1999 AWCHA National Championship.

However, acceptance into the NCAA indicates that women's hockey has truly taken root in the national sports scene.

"We believe that the NCAA epitomizes college athletics," Arthur said. "An NCAA National Championship is something that young athletes aspire to win."

This shift in administration does not diminish the achievements of the amazing Crimson championship team. Rather, it indicates that the field of competition is growing, and has begun to receive the attention of a broader audience.

"There's certainly a greater legitimacy to this championship," Coach Stone said. "USA Hockey was the first step, and this is truly exciting."