MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The No. 11 ranked UConn women's ice hockey team fell to No. 2 Minnesota by a score of 3-1 dropping both games in the two-game road series Saturday afternoon at Ridder Arena.
Minnesota goaltender Skylar Vetter kept out 23 shots on target allowing only one goal. Sophomore Megan Woodworth would score the lone goal on the dayfor the Huskies making that her second goal of the series and the season.
In the first, both teams shared chances at goal. UConn outshot Minnesota to begin the game and finished the period with 10 shots on goal to Minnesota's 8. However, the Golden Gophers would strike first in the first three minutes of play from an efficient attack sequence closed out by forward Madeline Wethington. Graduate Claire Peterson had an opening at goal but couldn't keep control of the puck out of the neutral zone. The score remained 1-0 Minnesota after the first.
The Gophers came back out firing even with the constant pressure from UConn in the second period. Minnesota would earn a power play in the first three minutes of the period and would execute with three seconds remaining in the penalty kill. The Gophers would tack on another goal at even strength at the 13-minute mark. Sophomores Kyla Josifovic and Christina Walker both rocketed shots at goal with scoring chances and junior goaltender Tia Chan made a great save to keep out the potential fourth goal of the game for the Gophers with a diving stop. UConn would earn its first power play of the game on a hooking penalty right before the second period ended. The score stayed at 3-0.
The Huskies couldn't execute on the power play, but seconds later at full strength, Megan Woodworth nailed her second goal of the series with a slick delivery from Camryn Wong. The Huskies would have seven more shots on target along with a power play opportunity, but the Gophers were able to fight off the penalty. The Gophers in return would get a chance on a power play opportunity, but UConn stopped the advantage. Minnesota would keep UConn at bay with a final score of 3-1.
Up Next
The Huskies look ahead to a Tuesday matchup on January 9 in Storrs against Brown at Toscano Family Ice Forum. Puck drop is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET and the game can be streamed live on ESPN+.
