University of Minnesota Athletics
Dreams Come True for Two New Gophers
9/30/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
By Ryan Russell, Athletic Communications Student Intern
MINNEAPOLIS -- Despite having over 1,200 miles separating their hometowns, freshmen Grace Zumwinkle (Excelsior, Minn.) and Olivia Knowles (Campbell River, B.C.) shared a common dream as children.
Friday night, that dream came true as the No. 3 Minnesota Gophers opened their season against Merrimack.
"Ever since I was a little kid, my dream has been to play here," Zumwinkle said. "I think it's just cool to see it come to life now."
Knowles also added that she also dreamed of being a Gopher since she was nine years old.
Although the Gophers came up short against Merrimack on Friday night, Knowles commented on how exciting it was to officially don the Maroon & Gold.
"It was great to finally put on the jersey," Knowles said. "I know today wasn't the result that we wanted, but there's still a lot of pride in the program and I can't wait to see where our team goes."
It took only 19 minutes in the opening period for the rookie duo to shake Ridder Arena with back-to-back goals.
Zumwinkle scored first on a power play, giving the Gophers a 2-1 lead.
"Knowles was at the top, and I was telling her to shoot it because they were kind of collapsing down on both of us. Then she shot the first time and it opened me up for a one-timer," Zumwinkle said. "I didn't expect it to go in right away."
Only 16 seconds later, Knowles followed with her own first collegiate goal. She credited the Minnesota forwards with a "good screen" in front of the net that guided the puck through.
Both Zumwinkle and Knowles join the Gophers as highly-touted prospects. Out of Breck School in Golden Valley, Minn., Zumwinkle was named the WCHA Preseason Rookie of the Year, the Class of 2017's Minnesota Ms. Hockey, and USA Today's 2017 All-USA Girls Hockey Player of the Year.
Both players represented their home countries in the 2017 IIHF U-18 Women's World Championships as well. Zumwinkle represented the United States while Knowles skated for Canada.
Away from the ice, the two have acclimated well to their new setting in Minneapolis thanks to the leadership of the upperclassmen and the team environment fostered by head coach Brad Frost.
"They've taken me under their wing," Knowles said of the team's seniors. "Every way I turn there's someone trying to help guide me a little bit, trying to give me a pointer. Everyone's looking out of each other and it's incredible."
Zumwinkle described the seniors as "super helpful, not only hockey-wise but also academically and socially."
The Gophers continue their weekend series against Merrimack with a 2:07 p.m. puck drop Sunday at Ridder Arena.
GopherSports.com is your home for all Gopher Women's Hockey news. Be sure to follow Gopher Women's Hockey on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for behind the scenes info and the latest updates on the program.
###
