University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
12-1-117-2-1; WCHA
Niagara
1-3-04-14-2; CHA
Gophers Earn Sweep with 5-3 Win Over Niagara
1/4/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
The No. 2 University of Minnesota women’s hockey team came from behind to win, 5-3, over Niagara University, today at the Dwyer Arena in Niagara, N.Y. Minnesota and Niagara tied up the game three times, including a 3-2 lead by the Purple Eagles in the third, but Minnesota came back to tie the game at 11:34 and added two late goals at 16:56 and 20:00 in the third for the 5-3 final.
Emily West and Jen Schoullis each had two goals in the game, while Monique Lamoureux scored the game-winning goal at 11:34 in the third.
Minnesota visited the sin bin five times in the first period, giving Niagara four power-play opportunities in the first period. Minnesota regrouped in the second period as scored on a 5-on-3 power play attempt at 2:32. On the power play, Gigi Marvin found West at the backdoor to score her ninth goal of the season. Melanie Gagnon held the second assist.
Niagara scored its first goal of the series at 9:41 in the second on their fifth power-play opportunity of the game with a goal from Ashley Riggs. Riggs then put the Purple Eagles up, 2-1 when she scored on a breakaway at 12:43 in the second.
The Gophers responded when West scored her second goal of the game at 19:34 to knot the game back to a tie, 2-2. West capitalized on a rebound attempt, while Jocelyne Lamoureux brought the puck into the zone and fired a shot. Michelle Maunu held the second assist when she found Lamoureux at the Minnesota blue line.
Niagara took its second lead at 10:09 in the third, but Minnesota tied the game again when Jen Schoullis scored on a rebound attempt a minute and 25 seconds later at 11:34 in the third period. Monique Lamoureux scored the gamewinner at 16:56 in the third. Lamoureux fired a shot just above the hash marks as she went top-shelf for her 16th goal of the year.
NU pulled goalie Jenni Bauer with 1:30 remaining in the game to add the extra attacker. However, just before the buzzer, Schoullis netted the insurance goal at 20:00 when she flipped the puck over the Niagara players’ head and landed into the net.
Kim Hanlon finished the game with 15 saves and her first win of the season in three games played. Bauer had 28 saves, including 14 in the second period.
Minnesota travels to Ohio State to take on the Buckeyes next weekend. Friday’s game is set for 7:07 p.m., while Saturday’s game is at 4:07 p.m. (ET).
