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Photo by: Matt Krohn
Gophers Return to Ridder for Senior Weekend against Bulldogs
2/22/2024 2:00:00 PM | Women's Hockey
Minnesota will honor seven seniors
MINNEAPOLIS -- The No. 4 ranked Minnesota Gopher women's hockey team (24-7-1) returns to Ridder Arena this weekend to face the No. 8 ranked Bulldogs of Minnesota Duluth (18-11-3) in their final regular-season series. Puck drops are scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday evening and 2 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. Both games are set to be broadcast on B1G+.
Last Time Out
The Maroon and Gold traveled to take on the No. 2 Wisconsin Badgers for a border battle. The Badgers secured an overtime win on Friday night, 4-3. The 'U' opened the scoring for the evening with a goal by Peyton Hemp in the first period. Wisconsin answered with two of their own in the second period, taking a 2-1 lead. Josefin Bouveng found the back of the net twice surrounding a Badger goal to tie the game in the third period, but Wisconsin was able to score in overtime for the win. On Saturday, Wisconsin score two goals each in the second and third periods to claim a 4-0 win.
Scouting the Bulldogs
The Bulldogs clinched home WCHA playoff ice last weekend after taking four points from St. Cloud State University with a 1-0 win Friday and a 0-0 overtime tie Saturday. With two shutouts on the weekend, the Bulldogs have now totaled a conference-leading 10 shutouts for the season. Sophomore goaltender Hailey MacLeod leads the nation with a .958 save percentage, ranking third in average goals against at 1.13. Her counterpart, freshman Eve Gascon ranks third in the nation with a .951 save percentage and 11th in GAA with 1.51. Offensively, the trio of Reece Hunt, Mannon McMahon and Clara Van Wieren make up for half of the Bulldogs 78 goals this season. Hunt leads the team with 28 points (17g, 11a), followed by McMahon with 25 (10g, 15a) and Van Wieren with 21 (12g, 9a).
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 29 goals in 32 games this season. Junior Ella Huber dished out an assist against Wisconsin last weekend to give her 33 points for the season. Sophomore Josefin Bouveng scored two goals on Friday, giving her 35 points for the year. Maggie Nicholson became the 11th Gopher to have double-digit points for the year. In total, 17 different Gophers have scored a goal.
Murphy Magic
Murphy currently sits in the top-10 in the nation in four major offensive categories. Her two assists over the weekend pushed her to 49 points for the season. She averages 1.53 points per game which is sixth in the nation. With seven game-winning goals for the season, Murphy leads the nation in the category. She sits in second in power play goals (11) and goals per game (.91). With two assists in last Friday's game against Wisconsin, she tallied her team-high 15th multi-point game of the season.
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 in 2023-24, with Murphy scoring 29 goals, Huber registering 33 points, Hemp scoring 12 goals and assisting 14 times, and M. Wethington scoring four goals and assisting 11 goals.
Newcomers Making an Impact
Freshman Emma Kreisz has given Minnesota a boost, recording 19 assists over 32 games to go along with five goals. She became the fifth Gopher this season to surpass the 20-point mark for the year. Fellow freshman Ava Lindsay has scored nine goals so far, added 12 assists, becoming the sixth Gopher to collect 20 points this season. Fifth-year transfers Taylor Stewart and Solveig Neunzert have also played substantial roles on Minnesota's defense, blocking 30 and 22 shots, respectivly. Neunzert has contributed one goal and five assists for the year, while Stewart has two goals and three assists.
Tracking Milestones
Peyton Hemp inched closer to 100 career points with a goal on Feb. 16 against Wisconsin. The goal put her at 86 career points (40g, 46a). With four goals and 11 assists so far this year, Madeline Wethington sits at 92 career points (26g, 66a). Ella Huber tallied one assist in last weekend's series against the Badgers to push her to 83 career points (30g, 53a).
Spotlighting our Seniors
This weekend's games mark the final regular-season home games for the senior class. The 'U' will be honoring Josey Dunne, Lucy Morgan, Solveig Neunzert, Maggie Nicholson, Taylor Stewart, Audrey Wethington and Madeline Wethington for their contributions to the program.
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 traveled to take on the No. 2 Wisconsin Badgers for a border battle. The Badgers secured an overtime win on Friday night, 4-3. The 'U' opened the scoring for the evening with a goal by Peyton Hemp in the first period. Wisconsin answered with two of their own in the second period, taking a 2-1 lead. Josefin Bouveng found the back of the net twice surrounding a Badger goal to tie the game in the third period, but Wisconsin was able to score in overtime for the win. On Saturday, Wisconsin score two goals each in the second and third periods to claim a 4-0 win.
Scouting the Bulldogs
The Bulldogs clinched home WCHA playoff ice last weekend after taking four points from St. Cloud State University with a 1-0 win Friday and a 0-0 overtime tie Saturday. With two shutouts on the weekend, the Bulldogs have now totaled a conference-leading 10 shutouts for the season. Sophomore goaltender Hailey MacLeod leads the nation with a .958 save percentage, ranking third in average goals against at 1.13. Her counterpart, freshman Eve Gascon ranks third in the nation with a .951 save percentage and 11th in GAA with 1.51. Offensively, the trio of Reece Hunt, Mannon McMahon and Clara Van Wieren make up for half of the Bulldogs 78 goals this season. Hunt leads the team with 28 points (17g, 11a), followed by McMahon with 25 (10g, 15a) and Van Wieren with 21 (12g, 9a).
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 29 goals in 32 games this season. Junior Ella Huber dished out an assist against Wisconsin last weekend to give her 33 points for the season. Sophomore Josefin Bouveng scored two goals on Friday, giving her 35 points for the year. Maggie Nicholson became the 11th Gopher to have double-digit points for the year. In total, 17 different Gophers have scored a goal.
Murphy Magic
Murphy currently sits in the top-10 in the nation in four major offensive categories. Her two assists over the weekend pushed her to 49 points for the season. She averages 1.53 points per game which is sixth in the nation. With seven game-winning goals for the season, Murphy leads the nation in the category. She sits in second in power play goals (11) and goals per game (.91). With two assists in last Friday's game against Wisconsin, she tallied her team-high 15th multi-point game of the season.
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 in 2023-24, with Murphy scoring 29 goals, Huber registering 33 points, Hemp scoring 12 goals and assisting 14 times, and M. Wethington scoring four goals and assisting 11 goals.
Newcomers Making an Impact
Freshman Emma Kreisz has given Minnesota a boost, recording 19 assists over 32 games to go along with five goals. She became the fifth Gopher this season to surpass the 20-point mark for the year. Fellow freshman Ava Lindsay has scored nine goals so far, added 12 assists, becoming the sixth Gopher to collect 20 points this season. Fifth-year transfers Taylor Stewart and Solveig Neunzert have also played substantial roles on Minnesota's defense, blocking 30 and 22 shots, respectivly. Neunzert has contributed one goal and five assists for the year, while Stewart has two goals and three assists.
Tracking Milestones
Peyton Hemp inched closer to 100 career points with a goal on Feb. 16 against Wisconsin. The goal put her at 86 career points (40g, 46a). With four goals and 11 assists so far this year, Madeline Wethington sits at 92 career points (26g, 66a). Ella Huber tallied one assist in last weekend's series against the Badgers to push her to 83 career points (30g, 53a).
Spotlighting our Seniors
This weekend's games mark the final regular-season home games for the senior class. The 'U' will be honoring Josey Dunne, Lucy Morgan, Solveig Neunzert, Maggie Nicholson, Taylor Stewart, Audrey Wethington and Madeline Wethington for their contributions to the program.
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.
WCHA Postseason Hype
Monday, March 02
Highlights: Gophers 6, St. Cloud State 1
Sunday, March 01
Highlights: Gophers 4, St. Cloud State 1
Saturday, February 28
Abbey Murphy Breaks Goals Record
Saturday, February 28