University of Minnesota Athletics
GOPHERS DROP 2-1 TO NIAGARA
10/27/2001 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
The Gophers were outshot 10-6 in the first period, but withheld the Purple Eagles to a scoreless 20 minutes. Minnesota's best scoring chance came on a Kelly Stephens' breakaway on a short-handed opportunity, but was unable to put it in the goal.
However, Minnesota could not keep the Purple Eagles from scoring in the second period as Niagara's Amanda Reid beat a Gopher defender and shot the puck past Gopher goalie Brenda Reinen (Sun Prairie, Wis./Sun Prairie) at 16:07.
Minnesota came out strong in the third period as the Gophers scored a power-play goal at 3:00 minutes to even the score at one a piece. Stephens scored in front of the net as junior Gwen Anderson (N. St. Paul, Minn./N. St. Paul) and senior Laura Slominski (Burnsville, Minn./Burnsville) were credited with the assists. The tie would not last long as the Purple Eagles took the second lead of the game with a goal at 5:59, which was the deciding factor in the game. With 16 players dressed, Minnesota switched between the first and second lines offensively and played five defensive members on the blue line. The Gophers outshot the Purple Eagles 17-3 in the final period.
Minnesota will return to WCHA action against the Ohio State Buckeyes Nov. 2 and 3 at 7:05 p.m. in Mariucci Arena.
