Gopher Women Have Scoring from Four in 6-2 Win Over MSU

[Arlan Marttila]

Gopher Women's Hockey Has Scoring from Four in 6-2 Win Over MSU
Provided by the University of Minnesota

The No. 6/7 University of Minnesota women’s hockey team had scoring from four individuals en route to a 6-2 win over Minnesota State University, Mankato, today in Mankato, Minn. With the win, the Golden Gophers improve to 8-5-0 overall and 5-5-0 in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

Minnesota got on the board early as Becky Kortum scored a power-play goal at 5:17 in the first period to put the game at 1-0 after one. Anne Schleper found Kortum at the bottom of the left circle and she fired in a shot for her sixth goal of the season. Kelly Seeler held the second power-play assist. The Golden Gophers had 10 shots (three on the power play) to MSU’s nine.

Minnesota added to its lead when Sarah Erickson and Kortum scored in the second. Erickson scored her second goal of the series when she scored on the short side of Alli Altmann at 5:03 in the second. Assists went to Laura May and Baylee Gillanders. Kortum added her second goal of the game at 10:59 in the second when she went top-shelf. The assists went to Sarah Davis and Gillanders. It was the first multiple-point game of her young career for Gillanders. Davis scored a goal of her own at 15:26 in the second when she followed up on a rebound attempt. Davis put the initial shot on goal, with Kortum adding the first follow-up. Davis crashed the net and netted her fourth goal of the year. Kelly Terry held the second assist.

MSU got on the board for the first time of the weekend when Lauren Zrust scored on a rebound attempt at 1:16 in the third period. McCann caused a turnover at the blue line and skated in for the breakaway. Noora Räty was able to stop the breakaway, but couldn’t contain the rebound. Minnesota, however, put the game back to a four-goal lead when Erickson scored her second goal of the game and third of the weekend at 8:28. She rifled in a shot just under the crossbar as she was left alone in the left circle. Jen Schoullis provided the setup, while Seeler held the second assist.
MSU responded when Kathleen Rogan scored at 9:33 in the third period to put the game at 5-2. Terry, however, scored a goal at 15:26 to put it back at a four-goal deficit . She was left alone in front of the net, while Davis and Gillanders recorded the assists.

Minnesota’s line of Davis, Terry and Kortum (the 9-10-11 line) scored four goals today, while Erickson netted the other two. In all, nine Golden Gophers tallied a point in the win.

Räty finished the game with 27 saves for her seventh win of the season. She did not allow a goal on the weekend until 1:16 into the third period of the second game.

Minnesota’s next action is Friday and Sunday, Nov. 26 and 28 when Harvard University comes to town. Friday’s game is set for 6 p.m., while Sunday’s is a 1 p.m. tilt.