MADISON, Wis.  – The sixth-ranked Wisconsin women's hockey team is heading to the 2023 Kwik Trip WCHA Final Faceoff after taking down the Minnesota State Mavericks 4-1 in a Saturday afternoon tilt at LaBahn Arena. 

Britta Curl, Laila Edwards, Sarah Wozniewicz and Lacey Eden each found the back of the net as the Badgers (25-9-2) completed the sweep of the Mavericks (15-20-1). 

The Mavericks struck first, getting on the board with 2:42 left in the first period. 

Curl tied things up for the Badgers 10:31 into the second period, before Edwards gave Wisconsin the lead just over a minute later. 

Wozniewicz started the third period off with her second goal of the weekend.

Extending the lead, Eden went bar down on the power play to make it 4-1. 

Cami Kronish made 26 saves in the outing for her 17th win of the season. 

Three Notes of the Game
- The Badgers have now advanced to the WCHA Final Faceoff for the 13th straight season. 
- Wisconsin earned its 17th 25-win season in program history with all 17 coming under the direction of UW head coach Mark Johnson.
- Wisconsin improved to 13-0-0 this season when notching a power-play goal. 

Straight From The Rink
Head Coach Mark Johnson
On the overall game:
"The first period was the response you sort of expect to get from the other team. They want to try to win the game otherwise their season is going to be over. Unfortunately, we made a mistake and they scored a goal, then we're down 1-0. Now it depends on how you react, so I thought the second period we played well and I liked the way we played the third period."

On continuing on in the postseason:
"This time of year, if you have a bunch of people contributing on the score sheet, that makes you that much more dangerous to play against. It was a good weekend, I knew it was going to be hard fought and today was a battle. We got through it and now we have an opportunity to play another game."

Freshman forward Laila Edwards
On responding to being down 1-0 after the first period: 
"I think we had a bit of a rough start, which is fine, it happens and it's all about how you respond and grow throughout the game. We picked it up as the game went on and it showed on the scoreboard… We did a good job of adjusting and picking up the pace towards the end with four unanswered goals."

On facing Minnesota next:
They're a great team and I think we've had their number this year, but that doesn't mean anything anymore, it's a clean slate and a new season. I respect them as much as I have all year… I think we just need to go into it knowing the circumstances and knowing what's at stake. We've got to win to put ourselves in a good position for the tournament after."

Up Next: The Badgers will face Border Battle rival Minnesota next Friday in a 5 p.m. contest in the semifinals of the 2023 Kwik Trip WCHA Final Faceoff at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis. Tickets are available on GopherSports.Com and coverage information will be available in the coming days.