October 18th

Gophers Win Big (Again) 8-2
Mark Christopher, Sophomore Writer


MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- The Number 2 ranked University of Minnesota Women's hockey team wrapped up their weekend series with the Ohio State Buckeyes Saturday afternoon at Ridder Arena.

The Gophers had 13 skaters earn a point Friday night in their 8-1 win over the Buckeyes, and also had six with multiple points. Sophomore Jen Schoullis scored two goals, Sophomore Emily West registered three assists, and Senior Melanie Gagnon had two assists. Junior Raelyn LaRocque scored the Buckeyes lone goal.

Ohio Started the game with a spark, as the Buckeyes won the opening faceoff and Freshman Natalie Spooner fired a shot at Minnesota goaltender Jenny Lura that was kicked away, but that would be the only shot on goal for the Buckeyes for the next 11 minutes.

Minnesota once again struck in the games early minutes as Freshman Jocelyn Lamoureux fed fellow Freshman Sarah Erickson who's back handed shot went over the stacked pads of Sophomore Ohio State goaltender Deidre Facklis, who Friday night came in relief of Liana Bonanno to start the third period. The Gophers added another first period goal at 14:06 when Jen Schoullis's slap shot from just above the right face off circle was tipped in by Monique Lamoureux.

Down 2-0 to start the second period, Ohio State needed only :33 to cut the lead in half as Natalie Spooner carried the puck in the zone and her backhanded shot went past the blocker of Jenny Lura, and just 1:50 later the Buckeyes tied it 2-2 when from behind the net Natalie Spooner fed Freshman Laura McIntosh who was set up on the left side of the crease. At that point Ohio State had scored on 2 of their first 3 shots on goal to start the period. The lead would be short lived as the Buckeyes found themselves two players short and Minnesota took advantage scoring a 5-on-3 goal at 4:29 from Jen Schoullis to take a 3-2 lead. Junior Kelli Blankenship added another tally at 6:34 and Freshman Nikki Ludwigson scored her first career Gopher goal at 12:02 as Minnesota carried a 5-2 lead into the second intermission, after killing off a 5-on-3 Ohio State power play at 14:25.

The Gophers got three more goals in the third period from Senior Captian Gigi Marvin on the power play at 3:34, Senior Rachael Drazen at 10:25, and Junior Chelsey Jones on the power play at 15:58. Minnesota out-shot Ohio State 23-2 in third period and 57-13 in the game.

With the win Minnesota improves to 4-0-0 in the WCHA and 5-1-0 overall, while Ohio State drops to 0-4-0 in league play and 2-4-0 overall.

The Number 2 ranked Gophers will travel to Madison to take on the top ranked Wisconsin Badgers next weekend, and their next home game will be on Halloween against St Cloud State at Ridder Arena at 6pm.


THREE STARS OF THE GAME

3--MN--Nikki Ludwigson (Scored First Career Gopher Goal)

2--MN--Sarah Erickson (1 Goal and 2 Assists)

1--MN--Monique Lamoureux (1 Goal and 3 Assists)


GAME STATS:

University of Minnesota Team Summary


Player -------------------------- G A PIM Sh +/-

Kelly Seeler------------------- 0 0 2 2 0
Melanie Gagnon------------- 0 1 0 2 0
Sarah Erickson--------------- 1 2 2 5 +2
Rachael Drazan------------- 1 1 0 5 +2
Kelli Blankenship------------ 1 1 0 4 0
Jaimie Horton---------------- 0 1 0 1 +1
Brittany Francis-------------- 0 0 0 1 0
Jocelyn Lamoureux------- 0 2 0 5 +2
Chelsey Jones--------------- 1 1 0 2 0
Emily West-------------------- 0 0 2 1 0
Nikki Ludwigson------------- 1 0 0 1 +1
Gigi Marvin-------------------- 1 0 0 9 0
Alexandra Zebro------------- 0 0 0 1 0
Monique Lamoureu x------- 1 3 0 8 +2
Anne Schleper--------------- 0 0 0 3 +1
Jen Schoullis----------------- 1 2 0 5 +1
Terra Rasmussen----------- 0 1 0 1 +1
Michelle Maunu-------------- 0 1 0 1 +2

Totals--------------------------- 8 16 8 57 +15


Goalie Stats

Ohio State

Deidre Facklis (Loss) 60:00 Min 8 GA 49 SV


Minnesota

Jenny Lura (Win) 59:47 Min 2 GA 11 SV
EMPTY NET 00:13 Min


Goals

OSU 0-2-0 2
MN 2-3-3 8

Prd--Time-Team--Scored by (Assists)

1st--03:00--MN--EV Sarah Erickson (Jocelyne Lamoureux, Monique Lamoureux)
1st--14:06--MN--EV Monique Lamoureux (Jen Schoullis, Sarah Erickson)

2nd--00:33--OSU--EV Natalie Spooner (Laura McIntosh)
2nd--02:23--OSU--EV Laura McIntosh (Natalie Spooner, Kelly Wild)
2nd--04:29--MN--PP Jen Schoullis (Monique Lamoureux, Sarah Erickson)
2nd--06:34--MN--EV Kelli Blankenship (Jen Schoullis, Chelsey Jones)
2nd--12:02--MN--EV Nikki Ludwigson (Jamie Horton, Terra Rasmussen)

3rd--03:34--MN--PP Gigi Marvin (Melanie Gagnon, Rachael Drazan)
3rd--10:25--MN--EV Rachael Drazen (Jocelyne Lamoureux, Monique Lamoureux)
3rd--15:58--MN--PP Chelsey Jones (Michelle Maunu, Kelli Blankenship)


Shots on Goal

OSU 4-7-2 13
MN 17-17-23 57


Penalties--Minutes

OSU 8--27
MN 4--8


Power Plays

OSU 0-4 (4 SOG, Time on PP 6:58)
MN 3-8 (19 SOG, Time on PP 11:55)


Faceoffs Won

OSU 23
MN 38