In the first round of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, the 6th-ranked Badgers took on the Minnesota State Mavericks.
Friday evening’s game was won by the Lady Badgers, 3-0. After a scoreless first period, Wisconsin erupted with 3 goals in the second.
Two minutes and 49 seconds into the second period, freshman forward Kirsten Simms scored her first post-season goal in a Badgers’ uniform.
Three minutes and nine seconds later, Wisconsin freshman defender Caroline Harvey also scored in her Badger post-season debut.
Wisconsin sophomore forward Sarah Wozniewicz closed out the scoring for the game at the 6:57 mark of the second period.
The Badgers’ red-shirt senior goalie, Cami Kronish, stopped 21 shots en route to her 16th win, seven of which have been shutouts.
The Ladies bring out the brooms!
Just two minutes and 21 seconds in the next game in the best-of-three series, Minnesota State drew first blood when Sydney Langseth scored.
Wisconsin would tie things up at the 10:31 mark in the second period when red-shirt senior forward Britta Curl found the net.
Just over a minute later, freshman forward Laila Edwards scored to give the Badgers a lead they would never relinquish.
Forward Sarah Wozneiwicz opened up the scoring in the third period with her second consecutive game with a goal.
Red-shirt sophomore forward Lacey Eden netted a goal on a power play to close out the scoring for the game.
Kronish had another huge game in the net, stopping 26 of 27 shots.
The first Final Four opponent for the Lady Badgers
Up next for the women’s team is rival Minnesota.
Wisconsin’s women bring a 25-9-2 mark into the Final Four. Ironically, those two ties were against Minnesota. Wisconsin’s record against Minnesota this season was 2-0-2.
Faceoff is set for 5 p.m. on Friday, March 3rd at the Ridder Arena in Minneapolis. After the Badgers win, the championship game will be played on Saturday at 2 p.m.