MADISON, Wis. – The No. 1 Wisconsin women's hockey team celebrated a pair of milestones in its 6-2 win over Minnesota State on Saturday evening in front of a sellout crowd at LaBahn Arena

Senior Casey O'Brien collected her 150th career assist for the Badgers (21-1-1, 15-1-1 WCHA) while bench boss Mark Johnson earned his 650th career win while leading the Cardinal and White. 

Kelly Gorbatenko scored a pair of goals while O'Brien, Claire Enright, Maggie Scannell and Lacey Eden also lit the lamp for UW. 

Gorbatenko opened the scoring for the Badgers halfway through the first period. From the corner, Scannell sent the puck into the slot where Gorbatenko got just enough on the puck to get it into the net over the head of Maverick netminder Hailey Hansen, lifting UW to a 1-0 advantage after the first. 

Wisconsin added two in the second period as O'Brien collected her second power-play goal of the season to double the lead. Enright then redirected a Sarah Wozniewiciz shot to lift UW to a 3-0 lead before Minnesota State scored 40 seconds later to make it a 3-1 game through 40 minutes. 

Scannell added her 10th goal of the season to open the third-period scoring. Cassie Hall passed the puck from behind the net to Scannell in the slot to one-time the puck into the back of the net.  

Eden scored her 16th of the season off an assist from O'Brien, her 150th career helper, before Gorbatenko tallied her second of the night to round out the scoring for Wisconsin. The Mavericks added another goal with a minute to play to close out the game at 6-2. 

Ava McNaughton made 30 saves to earn her 20th win of the season. 

Notes of the Game

• With the win, UW head coach Mark Johnson earned his 650th career win on the Badger bench, becoming the first NCAA Division I Women's Ice Hockey Coach to achieve the feat. 
• Through 23 games, the Badgers have scored a power-play goal in all but six games, including adding another on Saturday. In games with Wisconsin power-play goals, the Badgers are 16-1-0. 
• After a two-assist night, Caroline Harvey now has 41 points this year and is nine points away from breaking the school record for most points by a defender in a single season. 
• The Badgers have not conceded a power-play goal since Dec. 6, 2024 against Minnesota State and have only allowed four opponent power-play goals on the season.

Straight from the Rink 
UW Head Coach Mark Johnson
On his players being offensive-minded:
"Players are hungry and thinking about offense, so for 15 minutes in the second period, we're pretty good. But in the last three to four minutes, we give up a couple of break-aways and give up a golden opportunity, so it's getting our players to understand how to play the situation."

Senior Casey O'Brien
On the strong Badger power-play unit:
"It was kind of natural just because me, (Kirsten) Simms and Laila (Edwards) are very used to moving together. I think even though the positions were a little new for us — usually on the power play I'm down low and Lailas on her flank — but with the little switch, I think it took us a second to get used to, but I think we did a great job. If we had more opportunities, we'd be much better, but I can't complain about that. I think we will continue to get better."

Sophomore Kelly Gorbatenko 
On the team's depth:
"Our lines have been doing well, and our team's been doing well. So, as long as the puck gets in the back of the net, it doesn't really matter who gets it as long as it goes in."

Up Next: Wisconsin closes out its series with Minnesota State with a 2 p.m. game at LaBahn Arena. Fans that can't make it to the rink can watch on Big Ten Plus or listen to the action on 1070 The Game.