Women's Hockey Travels to Minnesota State
December 10, 2004 | Women's Hockey
The fourth-ranked Wisconsin women's hockey team returns to the road Friday and Saturday against the Minnesota State Mavericks in Mankato's All Seasons Arena. The Badgers have never lost to Minnesota State, settling for just one tie in a 19-0-1 series.
The Badgers (11-4-1, 7-4-1 WCHA) enter their final series of the 2004 calendar year fresh off a home tilt against top-ranked Minnesota. Wisconsin suffered a 2-0 defeat before alternating goals in a 3-3 tie. Junior Nikki Burish set up goals for Jackie Friesen and Jinelle Zaugg to tally two of her 17 points this season. Zaugg came through with what could have been Wisconsin's game-winner and her third goal of the season.
An efficient Wisconsin offense, scoring 4.8 goals per game, confronts the Mavericks with point leaders Sara Bauer and Lindsay Macy each converting over 20% of their shots. Bauer leads the team in goals (14) and assists (15), scoring on 23% of her 60 shots this season. Ranking second on the team is goals (13) and assists (12); Macy 's 24.5% shot percentage on 53 shots leads the team.
Like Wisconsin, Minnesota State (3-8-5, 3-6-3 WCHA) earned a loss and tie last weekend. At North Dakota, the Mavericks lost 4-2 and managed a 2-2 tie. Melanie Salatino and Amanda Stoher each have five goals through 14 games to lead the Maverick offensive attack. With six assists, Salatino is the team's points leader while Stoher trails by just one assist.
Freshman Kerri Wallace is third on the team in points, accumulating two goals and seven assists. In her debut season, Wallace leads the team in assists.
Junior forward Katie Hainrich owns 34 points through 74 career games as well as two points in nine games this season. Senior forwards Kearstin Solberg and Kristina Koga each have over 100 games of experience with the Mavericks. The pair has 51 career points between them to solidify depth on the Minnesota State roster.
Both the Badgers and Mavericks split time between two goalies. For the Mavericks, freshman Brittni Kehler and sophomore Laura Brennan have spent time in the net. The duo has combined to give Minnesota State a 2.86 goals against average and a .904 save percentage. Brennan has a slight advantage with a 2.64 goals-against average while Kehler is allowing 3.10 goals per game.
Wisconsin counters with junior Meghan Horras and sophomore Christine Dufour between the pipes. Through seven appearances, Dufour is leading the nation, allowing just 0.86 goals per game. Horras snagged 36 saves in Wisconsin's 3-3 tie against Minnesota, with 13 in the third and five in overtime to preserve the tie.
The Badgers look to keep the Mavericks locked out of the all-time series and ink wins number 20 and 21 this weekend. Action from All Seasons Arena begins Friday at 7:05 p.m. and Saturday at 3:05 p.m.
