MINNEAPOLIS —  The top-ranked Wisconsin's women's hockey team rallied from a two-goal deficit in the third period to defeat No. 2 Minnesota, 4-3, in overtime on Friday night at Ridder Arena.

Senior Daryl Watts scored twice, including the game-winning goal in OT to lead the Badgers (9-2-0, 9-2-1-1 WCHA) to their fifth-straight win against the Golden Gophers (9-5-0, 9-5-0-1 WCHA). Senior Caitlin Schneider and junior Britta Curl also scored in the come-from-behind win.  

The Badgers found themselves in a 2-0 hole for the first time since Nov. 27, 2020, as Minnesota tacked on goals in the middle of the first and second periods. 

But the Badgers bounced back as Watts went coast-to-coast before beating Lauren Bench top shelf to cut the deficit to one with 3:08 left in the second. 

The Gophers were able to net a goal early in the third period but were not able to hold the Badgers back. 

Schneider scored a goal halfway through the final frame to close the gap to one thanks to a feed from fellow senior Delaney Drake. 

With just over 35 seconds remaining and with UW netminder Kennedy Blair pulled, Curl took a feed from Watts to tie the game at 3-3 despite losing her glove earlier in the play.

Watts potted her second goal of the game just over two minutes into overtime to claim the win for Wisconsin.

Three Notes of the Game:

• Watts extended her goal streak to seven games, which is tied for her longest such streak as a Badger. She also has at least a point in each of UW's 11 games this year. 
• Sophie Shirley is tied for the team lead with 11 assists this year and has points in 10 of UW's 11 games. 
• Wisconsin is now 9-3-1 in its last 13 games against Minnesota. 

Straight from the Rink
UW head coach Mark Johnson
On trying to come back from a deficit:
"The last seven or eight minutes of the third period we created some pretty good chances and had some good opportunities but they were defending, they were blocking shots and doing some things that you need to do in order to keep the other team off the board."

On Daryl Watts:
"She's a good player that understands and has a lot of confidence in her abilities. The game is slower for her than it is for someone else."

Senior Daryl Watts
On coming back from behind:
"I think it's great. Like Coach said after the game, it was a big character moment for us which shows us that no matter the score in the third period, no matter who we're playing, no matter where we're playing, we can come back and we can win. Moving towards the end of the season I think that's huge for us, a huge confidence booster."

Up Next:
The two Border Battle rivals meet again on Saturday in a 4 p.m. game at Ridder Arena. Fans can watch the game live on Big Ten Network Plus.