University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Women's Hockey Sweeps SCSU
11/1/2003 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
The Huskies took the first blow at 4:30 of the first period when Tina Ciralo scored a power-play goal. It was the first power-play goal allowed by the Golden Gophers of the 2003-04 season. Prior to the goal, Minnesota did not allow a goal in 23 opponent chances this year. The Maroon and Gold tied the game at 9:22 with a power-play goal of their own. Natalie Darwitz scored her fourth goal of the series, third power-play tally, with Lyndsay Wall and Krissy Wendell on the assists. La Toya Clarke added the team's second power-play goal at 16:40 in the first to take the lead into intermission. Kelly Stephens and Darwitz set up the goal for Clarke. The Gophers have now scored 11 power-play goals in 30 chances this season.
Noelle Sutton added her second goal of the season at 6:53 of the second stanza with Melissa Coulombe and Chelsey Brodt on the assists. Stephens netted her third tally of the season at 9:31 of the third with Darwitz on the assist. By the end of the second period, Minnesota outshot SCSU 28-14. The Huskies added a goal at 16:40 of the second to cut the Gopher lead to 4-2 after 40 minutes of play.
St. Cloud State added its second power-play goal of the game at 8:50 of the third, cutting Minnesota's lead to one goal. The Huskies pulled goalie Ellen Brinkman with 42 seconds left, adding the extra attacker. Brinkman was out a total of eight seconds before Minnesota added its fifth and final goal on an empty-net attempt. Clarke added her second goal of the game and her second empty-net tally of the season. Darwitz was credited with the single assist.
Jody Horak was in goal for the Gophers allowing three goals, two of which were on the power play. She had 17 saves on her way to her fifth-straight win of the season.
The Gophers will take next week off from competition and will return to action Nov. 15-16 against Brown. Saturday's game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. (CST) start, while Sunday's is slated for an 11 a.m. tilt.
Minnesota will be without Darwitz, Stephens, Wall and Wendell this week. The foursome will head to Sweden to compete with USA Hockey at the Four Nations Cup, Nov. 5-9.
