Badgering: Abby Roque
January 15, 2020 | Women's Hockey, Varsity Magazine
Senior forward shares pre-game rituals and how she’s looking forward to Fill the Bowl Feb. 16
MADISON, Wis. — Last year the Badgers captured the NCAA title for the first time since 2011. What was the feeling like in the locker room after winning the national title?
The locker room was electric. Everyone was having fun with the trophy and singing to our win song. We just stayed in our gear for a while and celebrated. It's a special moment to win and we all had to just take that in with each other.
How is it playing at LaBahn Arena?
LaBahn Arena has the greatest atmosphere in women's college hockey in my opinion. The rink is amazing and the fans always make sure it's bumping. It makes us look forward to home games and helps us bring energy to the games.
Who is your favorite teammate and why?
My favorite teammate has to be my best friend Mekenzie Steffen. We had known each other before we even came to Wisconsin and have had the privilege to play together here. She always pushes me to be better on and off the ice, and she gives 100% effort every day. She has done a great job leading this team and we can all always count on her to have our backs.
Last month you had the chance to suit up for Team USA in the Rivalry Series and you scored two goals for the U.S. How was it not only playing for Team USA, but also playing with and against a number of Badgers?
Making my USA hockey debut with my fellow Badgers Britta (Curl) and Natalie (Buchbinder) was really special. Wearing the USA jersey is always an honor and they were both great hockey games to play in. It's awesome to see all of the players who have been Badgers playing for both the US and Canada. It's a testament to the success of our program and the development of our players.
Do you have any pre-game rituals?
I have a couple pre-game rituals. One of the big ones is taking the "stick-taping squad" picture that goes on our social media accounts before every game with Dara (Greig), Mekenzie, and Britta (Curl). We get to the games early to meet on the bench, tape our sticks and then take the picture for that day.
Do you have a favorite opponent to play against?
I really like playing the Minnesota Golden Gophers. They're always super competitive games and the fans get really into it. We play them a lot throughout the season, so the games can get pretty heated.
Later this season the women's hockey team will play in the Kohl Center against Ohio State. As someone who played in the last Fill the Bowl game, what are your expectations for this year's game?
I'm expecting a good hard-fought game with Ohio State, but also a great atmosphere. Last time it was sold out and playing in front of 15,000 people is exciting for us. It should be a really fun game to play in.
What are your plans after you graduate?
I'll be graduating in May with a marketing degree, but I'm still not positive what I will be doing after college. I will probably continue playing hockey for a little and see where that takes me.
