Gophers Lose 5-4 to Mercyhurst in National Semifinal

[Arlan Marttila]

Comeback Falls Short as the Gophers Lose, 5-4, in the National Semifinal Game
Provided by the University of Minnesota

Despite a rally at the end of the game and being down 5-1, the University of Minnesota women’s hockey team fell, 5-4 to Mercyhurst College, Friday night at the Agganis Arena in Boston. The Golden Gophers finish the season with a 32-5-3 overall record and stopped just short of their goal to reach the NCAA Championship game.

Minnesota scored at 5:29 in the first and allowed five straight goals before scoring three straight in the third period at 11:13, 15:24 and 18:43 in the third, but the comeback fell just short.

The Frozen Four marked the sixth time the Golden Gopher program made it to the big dance and the first under head coach Brad Frost. Minnesota’s previous appearances came in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and now in 2009.

Gigi Marvin got the Gophers on the board when she scored her 29th goal of the season at 5:29 in the first. Minnesota started the play when Rachael Drazan found Gigi Marvon just after center and placed it top-shelf past Hillary Pattenden. However, MC roared back and scored three unanswered goals to put the game at 3-1 after the first period.

The Lakers’ first goal came on a five-on-three attempt at 8:38 in the first period when Valerie Chouinard put the puck short-side past Gopher goalie Alyssa Grogan. Minnesota couldn’t stay out of the box as the Lakers scored their second power-play goal of the period at 15:47 in the first with the goal coming from Bailey Bram. Meghan Agosta added the final blow of the period when she scored her 40th goal of the season at 18:46. Minnesota and MC each had 10 shots on goal during the period, but the Lakers capitalized on three of their attempts.

With the three goals allowed, it knocked out Gopher starting goalie Alyssa Grogan as she was replaced with Jenny Lura. Meghan Corbett scored on a tip-in at 3:40 in the second period. Agosta scored her second goal of the game at 19:56 to add another blow to Minnesota’s deficit as she banged in a rebound attempt for her 41st goal of the year.

Minnesota attempted a comeback scoring three goals for the 5-4 final. Jen Schoullis scored her 19th goal of the season at 11:13 in the third on a power-play attempt. Marvin brought the puck deep into the zone and spun around and found Schoullis crashing the net through the slot. She banged home the puck for her 19th goal of the season. Marvin scored her second goal of the game at 15:24 in the third. With 2:12 remaining in the game, the Gophers pulled Lura to add the extra attacker. Monique Lamoureux scored her 39th goal of the season at 18:43, while Drazan and Marvin added the assists. In the final minute of the game, the Gophers had their chances to tie up the game, but couldn’t find the back of the net.

Minnesota attempted 13 shots in the second and 14 in the third, while allowing only seven shots in the second and five in the third for 22 shots. In all, Minnesota rattled off 37 shots on goal.