Badgers Fall to Gophers 3-2
November 03, 2007 | Women's Hockey
Despite third-period goals from Meghan Duggan and Erika Lawler, the No. 1 Wisconsin women's hockey team fell to the No. 6/7 Minnesota Golden Gophers 3-2 Saturday afternoon at the Kohl Center.
Duggan (Danvers, Mass.) and Lawler (Fitchburg, Mass.) each notched two points for Wisconsin (9-2-1, 5-2-1 WCHA) in the game which was played in front of a crowd of 2,404, the fifth largest attendance in Kohl Center women's hockey history.
Just like yesterday's contest, three goals were scored in the first period. This time, however, it was Minnesota (6-3-1, 4-3-1) getting an early lead midway through the first. The Gopher's Jenelle Phillipczyk recovered a puck and sent a backhanded shot past UW goalie Jessie Vetter (Cottage Grove, Wis.) at 11:08.
Less than a minute later the Gophers struck again as Jen Schoullis scored at 11:56. Melanie Gagnon was also credited with an assist on the goal that put Minnesota up 2-0. The Gopher's third goal of the period, which proved to be the game-winner came while on the power play with less than a minute remaining in the period. The goal, which was scored by Rachael Drazan, was assisted by Bobbi Ross and Erica McKenzie.
After a scoreless second, Wisconsin fought hard and was able to get on the board just 57 seconds into the third frame. While on the power play, Lawler won the faceoff on the left circle and dropped it back to Duggan who brought the puck all the way back around the net. Duggan gave it up for Lawler who snapped a shot on net and Duggan was there to put home the rebound.
The Badgers' second goal, 17:18 in the third period, also came on the power play. Sophomore Jasmine Giles (Ottawa, Ontario) dropped the puck to Lawler behind the net. Lawler passed it to Duggan who gave it right back to Lawler to the left of the Gopher 's net. Lawler sent a shot on goal past Minnesota's goalie Jenny Lura making the score 3-2.
The Badgers pulled Vetter for the last 1:02 of the game but were unable to tie the score. Vetter made 15 saves in the game and Lura stopped 19 shots for Minnesota.
Four current Badgers will be heading to Europe following the game to represent the U.S. Duggan, Lawler, and fellow teammates Jessie Vetter and Jinelle Zaugg (Eagle River, Wis.) will head to Leksand, Sweden to compete in the Four Nations Cup being played Nov. 7-11.
The Gophers were 1-for-4 on the power play compared to the Badgers who went 2-for-9.
After taking next weekend off, the Badgers will head out east Nov. 17-18 to face No. 2 UNH at the Whittemore Center in Durham, N.H.
