University of Minnesota Athletics
Scouting Report: Lindenwood
8/2/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS -- Before the back-to-back defending national champion Gophers kick off the 2016-17 season, GopherSports.com is taking a closer look at the opponents Minnesota will face in the upcoming season. Up this week is Lindenwood University.
About the Series: Minnesota vs. Lindenwood
This year’s series marks the first-ever meeting between the Gophers and Lions in women’s hockey. Lindenwood began competing at the NCAA Division I level in 2011-12 after finishing third in the 2011 ACHA National Tournament.
Scouting the Lions
During the 2015-16 season, Lindenwood finished fifth in College Hockey America, posting an overall record of 9-24-4 (5-11-4 CHA). The Lady Lions played under second-year head coach Scott Spencer, who returns for his third season in 2016-17. Lindenwood finished the 2015-16 season after falling in a three-game series against rival Robert Morris in the CHA Tournament.
Senior Shara Jasper led the team in points, posting 36 points (23g-13a) in 37 games. Sophomore Sarah Bobrowski is the team’s top returner, during the 2015-16 season she posted 27 points (8g-19a) in 37 games. Senior goaltender Nicole Hensley played in 32 games, finishing with a record of 8-20-4, and posting a .922 save percentage and 2.52 goals against average. Freshman goaltender Jolene deBruyn played in 6 games, posting a record of 1-4-0, averaging 3.02 goals against and a 93 percent save percentage.
Lindenwood returns 16 of 20 players from last season, including four seniors. They welcome eight newcomers, including Courtney Ganske (Killarney, Manitoba), Morgan Skinner (Victoria, British Columbia), Jalyn Elmes (Brandon, Manitoba), Lillian Marchant (Tustin, Calif.), Erin Near (New Hamburg, Ontario), Emma Hare (Penticton, British, Columbia), Kirsten Martin (Rosedale, British Columbia) and Taylor Girard (Macomb, Mich.). The Lady Lions begin the 2016-17 season at Ridder Arena against the Gophers on Sept. 30-Oct. 1.
Lions Set Stat Records
The Lady Lions set multiple program records last season, including most points (Shara Jasper, 23g-13a-36p), most goals (Shara Jasper, 23g), and most assists (Sarah Bobrowski, 19a) in program history. Senior goaltender Nicole Hensley set the all-time NCAA career saves record with 4,094 saves. The team posted a total of 175 points (64g-111a), which was a program record.
Next Meeting
Minnesota and Lindenwood face off for the first time in program history at Ridder Arena on Friday, Sept. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 1. The games mark both teams' season-opening series.
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