Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Women’s Notes: Exciting Weekend of Women’s Hockey
Top-Ranked Minnesota Secures Sweep with OT Win
The Minnesota Golden Gophers swept UConn in their opening series of the 2024-25 campaign. Friday’s 4-1 win saw the Gophers scoring early as captain Abbey Murphy (Sr., Evergreen Park, Ill.) tallied her first goal of the night just 30 seconds into the game. Just under two minutes later, sophomore forward Emma Kreisz (So., Budapest, Hungary) scored an unassisted goal, her seventh career goal.
Freshman defender Chloe Primerano (Fr., North Vancouver, British Columbia) scored her first goal of the season in the opening night win.
In Saturday night’s game, Minnesota outlasted UConn in a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory. Despite UConn’s early lead and defensive effort, including a standout 45-save performance from Megan Warrener (Sr., Stoney Creek, Ontario), the Huskies couldn’t hold off the Gophers. Abbey Murphy netted the game winner, her third goal of the weekend.
Friday night’s victory marked a milestone for head coach Brad Frost, as he secured his 500th win behind the Gopher bench.
“It’s special, obviously, to reach a milestone like this, certainly, there’s been so many people that have been involved with it, from players to staff coaches. It also means I’ve been around a long time, but I’m really proud of our group here tonight and being able to get that big one to start the year,” said Frost.
Daily Scoreboard | Weekly Schedule | Composite Schedule | Stat Leaders | Goaltending Leaders
Friday’s non-conference game featuring Wisconsin at Boston College will be streamed on ESPN+. In all, 38 teams will see action this coming weekend. Follow all the matchups by visiting our weekly schedule.
Must Read:
The Athletic: Inside the fight to bring DI Women’s Hockey to Michigan
USA Hockey: USA Rivalry Series Roster Announced
Ohio State Buckeyes: Ice Breaker Tournament to be Played at the Schottenstein Center
Daily Free Press: Tara Watchorn wants her players to set the standard
USCHO: Hurricane Helene postpones UMD Home Opener against Syracuse
The Rink Live: Boston College Eagles Win on the Road
Sports Illustrated: Wisconsin steals No. 1 ranking from Rival Gophers
USCHO: Women’s Hockey: Weekend Wrap
Doyle Backstops Bobcats to a Sweep:
Transfer netminder Kaley Doyle (Gr., Livonia, Mich.) led the No. 10 ranked Quinnipiac Bobcats to a weekend sweep over Maine’s Black Bears. Doyle turned away 44 shots on the weekend and recorded back-to-back shutouts, bringing her career total to eight.
The Bobcats will be hitting the road again next weekend, heading to Boston to face Northeastern in a two-game series. Game one is Friday night at 7:00 PM.
Defensive Dominance:
A pair of Clarkson D are off to a hot start this season as Nicole Gosling (Gr., London, Ontario) and Haley Winn (Sr., Rochester, NY) each recorded nine points last weekend. Gosling posted three goals and six assists, while Haley Winn had four goals and five assists for the Golden Knights.
Clarkson hosts Vermont Oct. 4 & 5 at Cheel Arena in Potsdam, New York.
Fit To Print:
“Everyone’s really locked into the little things. Making sure that we’re sleeping and eating right and drinking enough water, getting our warm up, cool down, whatever it may be. All the little things that surround us on ice and off ice that mean a lot that people think don’t sometimes, and beyond that, like our practice intensity and just the level of energy we bring every day is really impressive.”
–Penn State graduate D Lyndie Lobdell (Aurora, Ill.) on the intensity felt during preseason practices as the team looks to continue adding championship banners to Pegula Ice Arena (source: GoPSUsports.com)
PWHL Note of the Week:
The PWHL announced that all six teams will attend training camps at one of two locations, Montreal and Toronto. From Nov. 19-22, the Montréal Victoire, Boston Fleet, and Ottawa Charge will train at Montreal’s Verdun Auditorium, while the Toronto Sceptres, Minnesota Frost, and New York Sirens will gather at Toronto’s Ford Performance Centre for sessions and pre-season scrimmages.
Training camp rosters will be announced on Oct. 10, with each team allowed to carry a maximum of 32 players, selected through the PWHL draft or signed as free agents.
The 2024-25 rosters will be confirmed on Nov. 27. Each team can include up to 23 players, with an additional three players signed to reserve contracts.
The official start date for the 2024-25 season has not yet been announced.
Fries at the Bottom of the Bag:
Colgate’s new head coach, Stefan Decosse, secured his first win Friday along with Union’s new head coach, Tony Maci, on Saturday … Wisconsin’s Casey O’Brien (Gr., Milton, Mass.), moved into fourth place on Wisconsin’s all-time assists list with 121. Sara Bauer (2003-07) holds the school’s career record with 138 … Saint Michael’s netminder Annika Lavender (Jr., Plymouth, Minn.) put up a career high 69 saves in their loss to Clarkson. Lavender finished the 2023-24 season with a NEWHA-record and nation-leading 1,171 saves … Mercyhurst’s coach and longtime leader, Michael Sisti, extended his head coaching duties for the Lakers. In his 25 years, Sisti has amassed 570 wins and ranks second among active DI coaches behind Wisconsin’s Mark Johnson (629).
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Did you know? 97% of NCAA Division I women’s hockey players earn their degree!