LaLiberty steps down as UW women's crew coach
Wisconsin openweight and lightweight Head Coach Maren LaLiberty resigned yesterday. LaLiberty was on the UW crew staff since 2000, coaching both lightweight and openweight teams for the past two seasons.
\I'm stepping down from my positions for personal reasons,"" LaLiberty said. ""Sometimes in life we are faced with difficult situations, and this is one of those times. I do love coaching young people, but at this time I needed to step away from those duties at Wisconsin.""
Wisconsin has announced that it has not found a replacement coach yet and will name an interim coach soon.
Wisconsin crew season begins March 20 in Cocoa Beach, Fla. This past fall LaLiberty's crews had strong showings in each of the four events they raced in, with their lone win coming at the Head of the Rock at Rockford, Ill. The women's eight- and four-person boats won in each of their respective categories at that event.
-Wisconsin Sports Information contributed to this report.
Men's, women's hockey players recognized
The Western Conference Hockey Association announced yesterday that two Badgers were named respective Players of the Week.
Freshman forward Sara Bauer and junior defender Carla MacLeod were named WCHA Rookie and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively. Bauer recorded four points (one goal, three assists) in UW's sweep of Minnesota State Saturday and Sunday.
MacLeod, on the other hand, scored the game-winning goal in Sunday's 4-1 victory over the Mavericks. She also recorded an assist in the series.
For the men, freshman forward Robbie Earl was named the WCHA Rookie of the Week for his performance against the North Dakota Sioux this weekend. Earl recorded a hat trick in Friday's contest, a Kohl Center first. His last goal came in overtime as he sealed the 4-3 victory for UW. Earl capped off the series by recording his fourth goal Saturday in the Badgers' 5-2 win.
The WCHA Defensive Player of the Week award went to junior goaltender Bernd Br??ckler, who stone-walled the Sioux. Br??ckler allowed only five goals in 71 shots, a .930 save percentage. Three of the five goals he allowed were with even-strength on the ice. The award was also given to St. Cloud State's freshman goalie Tim Boron.
-Josh Salm
