University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Honor 2015 Senior Class
2/13/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS - The Golden Gophers women's hockey team held its annual senior celebration Thursday night at TCF Bank Stadium in the DQ Club Room. The Gophers will also recognize the four seniors on Saturday, prior to their game against No. 6 Minnesota Duluth.
Seniors Rachael Bona, Meghan Lorence, Rachel Ramsey and Shyler Sletta make up the most decorated class in Gopher women's hockey history with three national championship appearances, three WCHA Final Face-off titles, two NCAA national titles and two WCHA regular season crowns.
The class currently owns a program-best .919 winning percentage with a 138-9-7 record. They are one win away from matching the most wins by a class, which is 139 wins, set by the Class of 2014. In their time together, the four seniors have combined for 360 points (136 goals, 224 assists), and Bona and Ramsey have not missed a single game.
"It is hard to sum up all of the great things that these four seniors have done for our program," head coach Brad Frost said. "These four seniors embody and fulfill our values on a daily basis. They are 'team-first' and an absolute pleasure to coach."
When looking at the postseason success this group has had, Frost recognizes what an impact these four student-athletes have already made on the history of the program.
"We've played in three national championships and won two of them," said Frost. "The banners that they've hung here will leave a legacy in our rink, but more importantly, who they are as people will leave a lasting legacy with our program."
The four Gopher seniors have four regular-season games remaining in their careers before beginning the 2015 postseason journey during which they hope to make even more history in Maroon & Gold.
About Rachael Bona
Co-captain Rachael Bona has played in 154 career games, recording 140 points on 57 goals and 83 assists. A left-handed forward from Coon Rapids, Minn., Bona was a Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award finalist and an All-WCHA second team honoree as a junior when she ranked third in the nation and second on the team with 61 points.
Bona has scored two hat tricks in her Gopher career, including one against St. Lawrence earlier this season. She has been honored as a two-time WCHA All-Academic Team selection, a WCHA Scholar Athlete and a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar. Bona will graduate with a bachelor's degree in child psychology and plans to continue her education with nursing school.
About Meghan Lorence
Assistant captain Meghan Lorence has played in 148 career games, recording 96 points on 47 goals and 49 assists. A left-handed forward from Mounds View, Minn., Lorence scored her first career hat trick in a 5-3 win over Ohio State earlier this season. She also scored a career-high four goals in the series against the Buckeyes.
As a junior, Lorence recorded a career-high 35 points and led the team with seven game-winning goals and a .176 shot percentage with 18 goals on 102 shots. She is a three-time WCHA Player of the Week award winner. Lorence is a double-major in human resource & development and business & marketing with a minor in communications.
About Rachel Ramsey
Co-captain Rachel Ramsey has played in 154 career games. The Chanhassen, Minn., native ranks third among all-time Gopher defensemen with 124 career points. Her 32 goals are tied for fifth all-time, and her 92 assists rank third among Gopher blue-liners.
A three-time All-WCHA honoree, Ramsey was named an AHCA/CCM First Team All-American and the WCHA Defensive Player of the Year as a junior after finishing the season ranked second in the nation and first in the league in scoring among defensemen with 43 points in 41 games. Ramsey is a two-time WCHA All-Academic Team selection, a WCHA Scholar Athlete and a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar. Ramsey will graduate with a degree in business & marketing with minors in communications and management.
About Shyler Sletta
A left-handed goaltender, Shyler Sletta has appeared in 10 career games as a Gopher. The Elko New Market, Minn., native has not allowed a goal in over 250 minutes in net. She has made 66 saves on 66 shots faced, boasting a perfect 1.000 save percentage and 0.00 goals against average as a Gopher.
Sletta has appeared in three games this year, including earning her second start and complete-game shutout with 18 saves in a 4-0 win at St. Cloud State in January 2015. As a freshman, Sletta earned her first career shutout with 20 saves in a 3-0 win over Minnesota State in October 2011. A WCHA All-Academic Team honoree, the sport management major also has a passion and talent for graphic design.
###
