Weekend Update: Quinnipiac Scores Opening Win
ALBANY, N.Y. -- Three ECAC Hockey women’s
programs officially begin their 2010-11 campaigns last night in
non-conference action. Quinnipiac, which led the nation in
scoring defense last season, once again showcased its defensive
prowess by blanking Niagara, 3-0 on the road. No. 7/7
Clarkson was less fortunate as it was stopped by visiting national
power No. 4/6 Minnesota, 5-0 in Potsdam, NY, while Rensselaer could
not overcome No. 5/5 Wisconsin’s first period scoring barrage
falling to the Badgers 7-0 in Madison, WI.
Quinnipiac 3 at Niagara 0: Junior
Bobcats’ forward Kate Wheeler's two second period goals
helped lead Quinnipiac to a 3-0 victory in its season opener
against non-conference opponent Niagara at Dwyer Arena. The
win snapped the Purple Eagles’ 11-game unbeaten streak
against the Bobcats. The win gives Quinnipiac a 1-0-0 record
on the season while Niagara begins its season 0-1-0.
Sophomore goaltender Victoria Vigilanti was stellar in net, as she
turned away 20 shots for the Bobcats. Her counterpart, senior
goaltender Jenni Bauer made 24 saves on the evening for the Purple
Eagles. The Bobcats had 10 of their 27 shots on the
power-play and scored their final goal on the power-play from Kate
Wheeler at 14:58 in the second period. Niagara was 0-for-6 on
the power-play and came away empty-handed on 5-on-3 power-plays
twice. Quinnipiac faces Niagara at 12 p.m. Saturday,
Oct. 2, to complete the two-game weekend series.
No. 4/6 Minnesota 5 at No. 7/7 Clarkson 0:
Clarkson, ranked 7th in the country in the preseason polls, falls
to 0-1-0 on the season, while 4th/6th-ranked Minnesota moves to
1-0-0 after the Gophers 5-0 win last night. Minnesota got on
the board twice in the opening stanza with goals from Jen Schoullis
and Amanda Kessel at 10:08 and 15:28. The Gophers tacked on
another two goals in the second period when Kessel and Becky Kortum
each scored a goal to put the game at 4-0. Lauren Dahm had 23
saves in 40 minutes for Clarkson, while Erica Howe finished out the
third period with nine saves. Minnesota’s Noora Raty
made 23 saves to preserve the shutout. Minnesota finished the
game with a 37-23 lead in shots, scoring once on the power play in
seven chances. The Knights went 0-for-8 in an extra
skater. The two teams will meet again Saturday, with the
opening faceoff scheduled for 3 p.m.
At No. 5/5 Wisconsin 7, Rensselaer 0: The
No. 5/5 University of Wisconsin women’s hockey team scored
five goals in the first period en route to a 7-0 season-opening
victory over Rensselaer at the Kohl Center Friday night in front of
1,972 fans. Wisconsin (1-0-0) received two goals apiece from
junior Carolyne Prevost and freshman Brittany Ammerman.
Sophomore Brianna Decker led the team with three points on three
assists. The Badgers wasted no time getting on the scoreboard
as Prevost put Wisconsin up 1-0 just 15 seconds into the
game. Wisconsin won the opening face-off and senior Geena
Prough sent a pass to Decker, who found Prevost streaking up the
right side. Prevost beat Rensselaer goaltender Sonja van der
Bliek, slotting her sixth career game-winning goal.
Wisconsin, which held a 31-11 advantage in shots for the contest,
saw Becca Ruegsegger stop 11 shots for the shutout victory.
Between the pipes for Rensselaer, van der Bliek took the loss,
making four saves before giving way to sophomore Shannon Ramelot,
who posted 20 saves in relief. Rensselaer and Wisconsin wrap
up the series Saturday night at the Kohl Center. The game is
set for an 8 p.m. eastern standard time start.
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