University of Minnesota Athletics
Ramsey, Gophers Ready for Second Half
1/2/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS - Rachel Ramsey has already had a historic career with the Maroon & Gold. She and her senior classmates have competed in three national championship games in their first three years as Gophers.
Despite already experiencing some of the most exciting moments in Minnesota women's hockey history, the Chanhassen, Minn., native is determined to seize the opportunity in the second half of the season and end her career on top.
"We were talking about it today and there are actually only eight weeks until playoffs," Ramsey said. "It's kind of hard to wrap your mind around, but it's exciting to get back to it."
The Gophers start the second half of the regular season this week by hosting St. Lawrence at Ridder Arena in a Sunday/Tuesday series. Ramsey recognizes that her time as a Gopher is winding down but plans to try to live in the moment and continue taking one game at a time.
"In particular over these next three weeks [until classes resume], we just have to stay focused on hockey," Ramsey said. "It's hard not to let your mind go elsewhere, especially when you're not in school, hard to get into the rhythm of things, but just focus and realize that these are really important games, especially getting down to the wire here, remembering that every game matters."
Ramsey reflected on her time as a Gopher so far, quick to note that she and her fellow senior classmates hope to add one more exciting chapter to their legacy as one of the most successful classes in the history of Minnesota women's hockey.
Some of her career highlights so far include the team's 2012 and 2013 national championships, along with the team's 2013-14 postseason run to the national title game. She also noted the team's triple-overtime win over North Dakota in the 2013 NCAA quarterfinal round as a special memory. However, the team's 2012 national title holds an extra special place in Ramsey's memory.
"I think the national championship my freshman year really stands out," Ramsey said. "Getting to see those seniors who had been working for four, some of them five years for it, finally win that title. That was pretty special."
Even as a freshman, Ramsey recognized the extraordinary thrill for a player winning a national championship to end her senior year. Four quick years later, she now finds herself on the ice as a co-captain in her senior year, hoping to lead the Gophers to their fourth-straight national title game.
"Fingers crossed that we can capitalize this year," Ramsey said. "It would be really cool for our senior class to take three out of four [championships] and walk out of here with that, and for the freshmen and sophomores who haven't experienced one, for them to get a national championship under their belt. Hopefully we're in that game when it comes. Being a Gopher is so special because every year you have the opportunity to put yourself in a position to win a championship."
It's difficult not to look too far ahead with the postseason rapidly approaching, but Ramsey hopes to make the most of every moment along the way over these next eight weeks of the regular season.
"There's always a push I feel like, senior year especially, that you want to get to that big game; you want to get to the end and try to make it count," Ramsey said. "I, along with the rest of the seniors, have been very blessed with the first three years we've been here. I want to actually slow my mind down and try to enjoy every single moment we have together."
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