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Photo by: Matt Krohn
Gophers Ready to Host Showdown with Top-Ranked Ohio State
1/11/2024 4:35:00 PM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS - The No. 2 ranked Golden Gopher women's hockey team (16-3-1) is set to host a top-2 showdown with the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes (16-2-0) in a weekend series at Ridder Arena on Jan. 12 and Jan. 13.
Last Time Out
The Maroon and Gold swept No. 11 UConn in a weekend series at home, finishing their non-conference schedule with a 6-0-0 record. Minnesota took game one 5-3 behind a three-point performance from Abbey Murphy before winning game two 3-1.
Scouting the Buckeyes
The Buckeyes finished the first half of the season with a 16-2-0 record and have been ranked No. 1 for five straight weeks. Ohio State's only two losses came from then No. 3 Colgate and No. 10 St. Cloud State. The Buckeyes have significant contributors up and down the lineup with 12 players tallying double-digit points. A trio of players have 20+ points so far this season, led by graduate senior Jennifer Gardiner with 23, graduate senior Hannah Bilka with 22 and senior Kiara Zanon with 20. Defensively, Ohio State ranks No. 6 nationally in scoring defense, allowing only 27 opponent goals this season anchored by senior goaltenders Amanda Thiele and Raygan Kirk. The Buckeyes swept their last meeting with the Gophers with a 4-3 overtime win in game one and a 6-5 win in game two.
Multiple Gopher Contributors
The Maroon and Gold have had various players make an impact this season. Redshirt junior Abbey Murphy has led the scoring charge with 22 goals in 20 games so far this season. Sophomore Josefin Bouveng and junior Ella Huber have each registered 23 points in the first 20 games. Freshman Ava Lindsay has scored seven times, stepping up on the Gophers' offensive attack. Fellow freshman Emma Kreisz has scored three goals and added 12 assists this season. A. Lindsay and Kreisz, often linemates, have flashed tremendous chemistry in their first year with the Gophers. Nelli Laitinen has found the back of the net six times, becoming a major contributor for the Maroon and Gold in her sophomore campaign.
Murphy Magic
With two assists and a goal in game one against UConn, Abbey Murphy picked up the second half of the season where she left off. Murphy currently leads the nation in goals (22) and goals per game (1.10). With her first goal against Wisconsin on Dec. 8, Murphy scored her 100th career point (58g, 43a). She scored 33 points in the first half of the season to propel her over the century mark.
Stout Goaltending
Skylar Vetter was named WCHA Goaltender of the Week for the eighth time in her career on Jan. 8 for her performance against UConn, stopping 23 of 24 shots faced. Vetter set the program record with 52 saves against Ohio State on Oct. 27, beating the previous record of 51 set by Noora Raty. So far this season, she has recorded two shutouts and has eight wins. Fifth-year transfer Lucy Morgan has also recorded a shutout this season and picked up eight wins, providing the Gophers high-quality depth.
Defense Acting as an Anchor
Taylor Stewart, Madeline Wethington and Solveig Neunzert have been key pieces to a strong Minnesota defense this season. They've allowed one or zero goals in 16 of 20 games this season. Nelli Laitinen has taken a step forward in her sophomore season, scoring six goals and assisting nine goals in 18 games.
Captains Leading the Way
Junior Peyton Hemp was named team captain this fall for the first time in her career, while Madeline Wethington, Abbey Murphy and Ella Huber were named assistant captains, also the first time they've worn a letter. All three of the Gopher leaders have made their presence felt thus far in 2023-24, with Murphy scoring 22 goals, Huber registering 23 points, Hemp scoring eight goals and assisting nine times, and M. Wethington scoring four goals and assisting six goals.
Newcomers Making an Impact
Freshman Ava Lindsay has scored seven goals so far and added seven assists. After scoring six points over five games, including two multi-point games, Lindsay was named WCHA Rookie of the Month for December. Fellow freshman Emma Kreisz has also given Minnesota a boost, recording 12 assists over 20 games to go along with three goals. Fifth-year transfers Taylor Stewart and Solveig Neunzert have also played substantial roles on Minnesota's defense. Neunzert scored her first goal as a Gopher in the win over Wisconsin on Dec. 8.
Tracking Scoring Milestones
Madeline Wethington added to her pursuit of 100 career points by scoring two goals in the series against UConn. With her four goals and six assists so far this year, she now sits at 87 career points (26g, 61a). Peyton Hemp sits at 77 career points (36g, 41a) after scoring a goal and tallying an assist in the UConn series.
Quest for Eighth National Title
Minnesota has won seven national championships (2000, 2004, 2005, 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2016) and looks for a historic eighth title national crown in 2023-24.
Last Time Out
The Maroon and Gold swept No. 11 UConn in a weekend series at home, finishing their non-conference schedule with a 6-0-0 record. Minnesota took game one 5-3 behind a three-point performance from Abbey Murphy before winning game two 3-1.
Scouting the Buckeyes
The Buckeyes finished the first half of the season with a 16-2-0 record and have been ranked No. 1 for five straight weeks. Ohio State's only two losses came from then No. 3 Colgate and No. 10 St. Cloud State. The Buckeyes have significant contributors up and down the lineup with 12 players tallying double-digit points. A trio of players have 20+ points so far this season, led by graduate senior Jennifer Gardiner with 23, graduate senior Hannah Bilka with 22 and senior Kiara Zanon with 20. Defensively, Ohio State ranks No. 6 nationally in scoring defense, allowing only 27 opponent goals this season anchored by senior goaltenders Amanda Thiele and Raygan Kirk. The Buckeyes swept their last meeting with the Gophers with a 4-3 overtime win in game one and a 6-5 win in game two.
Multiple Gopher Contributors
The Maroon and Gold have had various players make an impact this season. Redshirt junior Abbey Murphy has led the scoring charge with 22 goals in 20 games so far this season. Sophomore Josefin Bouveng and junior Ella Huber have each registered 23 points in the first 20 games. Freshman Ava Lindsay has scored seven times, stepping up on the Gophers' offensive attack. Fellow freshman Emma Kreisz has scored three goals and added 12 assists this season. A. Lindsay and Kreisz, often linemates, have flashed tremendous chemistry in their first year with the Gophers. Nelli Laitinen has found the back of the net six times, becoming a major contributor for the Maroon and Gold in her sophomore campaign.
Murphy Magic
With two assists and a goal in game one against UConn, Abbey Murphy picked up the second half of the season where she left off. Murphy currently leads the nation in goals (22) and goals per game (1.10). With her first goal against Wisconsin on Dec. 8, Murphy scored her 100th career point (58g, 43a). She scored 33 points in the first half of the season to propel her over the century mark.
Stout Goaltending
Skylar Vetter was named WCHA Goaltender of the Week for the eighth time in her career on Jan. 8 for her performance against UConn, stopping 23 of 24 shots faced. Vetter set the program record with 52 saves against Ohio State on Oct. 27, beating the previous record of 51 set by Noora Raty. So far this season, she has recorded two shutouts and has eight wins. Fifth-year transfer Lucy Morgan has also recorded a shutout this season and picked up eight wins, providing the Gophers high-quality depth.
Defense Acting as an Anchor
Taylor Stewart, Madeline Wethington and Solveig Neunzert have been key pieces to a strong Minnesota defense this season. They've allowed one or zero goals in 16 of 20 games this season. Nelli Laitinen has taken a step forward in her sophomore season, scoring six goals and assisting nine goals in 18 games.
Captains Leading the Way
Junior Peyton Hemp was named team captain this fall for the first time in her career, while Madeline Wethington, Abbey Murphy and Ella Huber were named assistant captains, also the first time they've worn a letter. All three of the Gopher leaders have made their presence felt thus far in 2023-24, with Murphy scoring 22 goals, Huber registering 23 points, Hemp scoring eight goals and assisting nine times, and M. Wethington scoring four goals and assisting six goals.
Newcomers Making an Impact
Freshman Ava Lindsay has scored seven goals so far and added seven assists. After scoring six points over five games, including two multi-point games, Lindsay was named WCHA Rookie of the Month for December. Fellow freshman Emma Kreisz has also given Minnesota a boost, recording 12 assists over 20 games to go along with three goals. Fifth-year transfers Taylor Stewart and Solveig Neunzert have also played substantial roles on Minnesota's defense. Neunzert scored her first goal as a Gopher in the win over Wisconsin on Dec. 8.
Tracking Scoring Milestones
Madeline Wethington added to her pursuit of 100 career points by scoring two goals in the series against UConn. With her four goals and six assists so far this year, she now sits at 87 career points (26g, 61a). Peyton Hemp sits at 77 career points (36g, 41a) after scoring a goal and tallying an assist in the UConn series.
Quest for Eighth National Title
Minnesota has won seven national championships (2000, 2004, 2005, 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2016) and looks for a historic eighth title national crown in 2023-24.
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