University of Minnesota Athletics
Women's Hockey Ties Niagara in the Frozen Four Third Place Game
3/24/2002 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
After a scoreless first period, the Gophers got on the board at 9:55 of the second. Kristy Oonincx tipped a Ronda Curtin slap shot in front of the net. Laura Slominski set up the play wrapping around the back of the net, passing it to Curtin. By the end of the second period, Minnesota had outshot the Purple Eagles 22 to 12.
The Purple Eagles would find a way to tie the game at 13:52 of the third period. Jennifer Goulet took the puck after stopping a slap shot and went on a breakaway to the net. Goulet went one-on-one with Minnesota goalie Brenda Reinen. Goulet faked left, but shot right with Reinen unable to stop the shot. The lead however, did not last long as Minnesota tacked on a goal at 14:43 giving the Gophers a one-goal lead. La Toya Clarke scored her 15 goal of the season on a tip in front of the net. Kelly Stephens passed the puck to Kelsey Bills, who took a shot at the point. It was tipped by Clarke.
Minnesota's lead only lasted 3:09 as Niagara scored at 17:52 of the third, sending it into overtime and the eventual tie. Reinen stopped the first shot, but was unable to stop the rebound by Stephanie Romain.
"It was a game that went down to the wire," Gopher coach Laura Halldorson said. "Tying for third in the national tournament is really beyond any expectations we had at the beginning of the season."
It was the final game for seniors Laura Slominski, Tracy Engstrom and Sarma Pone. Slominski, a co-captain, finished her career with 161 points in 146 games. She had assists in two of the three goals scored by Minnesota in the Frozen Four. Slominski ranks third in Gopher all-time scoring list behind Nadine Muzerall and Ambria Thomas. Engstrom ends her four years with 132 points in 143 games. Engstrom, also a had 12 power-play goals in her tenure at Minnesota. Pone tallied 25 points in 128 games. Pone had three goals for the Gophers this year, two of which were power-play goals.
