University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Women's Hockey Edged by Brown in National Semifinal
3/22/2002 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
After a scoreless first period, Brown University scored early in the second period, producing a goal at 1:40 when Kristy Zamora added her 33rd goal of the year. Kerry Nugent and Jessica Link were credited with the assists. The Gophers added a goal of their own when Kelly Stephens scored her 23rd goal on a power-play opportunity. Stephens received a pass from the top of the circle near the crease by senior co-captain Laura Slominski. Stephens then shot twice, scoring off her own rebound at 8:25 of the second. The tie however, would dissapate as the Bears added a a power-play goal less then one minute later at 9:16. The goal proved to be the gamewinner.
Minnesota came to life in the third period, outshooting the Bears 17-5 in the final 20 minutes. However, Dreyer stopped all 17 shots, 35 total, for her 13th win of the season. Minnesota had a power-play opportunity in the third, the team's fourth of the night, but could not convert. The Gophers pulled rookie goalie Jody Horak with a minute and two seconds remaining to add the extra attacker. Minnesota attempted a total of two shots, one of which was blocked, the other a wide shot by Stephens.
"After the second period when we were down 2-1, I told them we have them right where we want them," Gopher coach Laura Halldorson said. "We're used to being down late in games this season. Brown's been playing very well so I knew it was a difficult task. We came close a lot."
