University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Solidify Team Identity in Early Tests
11/3/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
By Tommy Sletten, Athletic Communications Student Intern
MINNEAPOLIS -- Ten games into the season, the University of Minnesota women's hockey program finds itself at a point where the team mentality in the face of adversity can define the rest of the season.
"It stinks losing," senior goalie Sidney Peters said after Sunday's 2-1 overtime loss to Wisconsin. "But this shows that we are solid, and for everyone who has been doubting us this season, you can look at this game: we went back and forth with the number one team in the nation."
Despite being swept by Wisconsin, Minnesota has been largely successful over a tough three weeks of hockey.
The Gophers earned two wins on the road at Bemidji State, including a 4-3 overtime win capped with a Sydney Baldwin game-winning goal, and two wins on the road against rival Minnesota Duluth before falling to Wisconsin in two hard-fought games.
"I love how we're progressing," head coach Brad Frost said. "We know that we are missing some key cogs from last year. You never like to have four losses on the record at this point in the season, and we haven't come out unscathed, but I think we've grown from it."
This season, development has been especially important for the Gophers, as they have had to rely heavily on younger players such as freshman forward Grace Zumwinkle, freshman goalie Alex Gulstene, and freshman defenseman Olivia Knowles.
"I think these early series show us where we currently are and where we need to go moving forward," Zumwinkle said. "Playing well against these difficult teams, especially going into the next few series, will boost our confidence."
Peters said these recent games have given the young team a chance to grow and develop, and to solidify their culture against tough opponents.
"I think it validates our identity and all the stuff we've been working on so far," Peters said.
While the opponents are different, it doesn't get any easier for the Gophers as Minnesota is on the road three of four weekends in November, beginning with this weekend's series at Minnesota State. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. CT Friday night before a quick turnaround for a 3 p.m. CT game Saturday afternoon.
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