After all was said and done in Columbus this weekend, the UW women's hockey team tallied two more wins, adding to their already school record of consecutive wins which now stands at 18. It was not easy, by any means, as the Badgers held onto a 3-2 victory Friday night, and had to fight from behind in order to come back and win 3-2 Saturday.
A total team effort helped UW jump out to an early 3-0 lead as three different Badger players scored. Sophomore forward Erika Lawler started the UW scoring assault less than six minutes into the contest after receiving a pass from freshman forward Meghan Duggan in front of the net. After her shot deflected off an Ohio State defender, senior defender Kristen Witting pushed the UW lead to two goals with just five minutes left in the first period.
The Badgers were able to carry their momentum into the second period as junior forward Jinelle Zaugg netted a power-play goal just 4:26 into the period. It was Zaugg's nation leading seventh goal and eventual game-winner.
However, the Buckeyes fought back and cut the lead to two goals with just over 10 minutes left in the period as junior forward Mallory Peckels put the loose puck into the net for a power-play goal. Peckel was not finished as she notched her second goal after she blasted the puck past UW goalie Jessie Vetter for another power-play goal. However, that was all the scoring OSU could amass as the Badgers held on for a 3-2 victory.
On Saturday afternoon the Buckeyes came out looking for revenge; however, the Badgers took an early lead for the second game in a row. Senior forward Sara Bauer flung the puck toward the net only to have it redirected by Zaugg for her second goal of the weekend, and eighth on the year. But the lead did not last long, as Ohio State scored two goals in a matter of four minutes to take a 2-1 lead into the third period as forward Jody Heywood and Tessa Bonhomme were able to beat senior goalie Christine DuFour.
As the third period started, senior defender Bobbi-Jo Slusar was able to clank in the rebound from senior defender Meaghan Mikkelson's shot off the crossbar to tie the game. Freshman forward Kyla Sanders blasted a shot past the Buckeye goalie after Bauer found her on a two-on-two break to finish the scoring and sweep the Buckeyes.
The Badgers play host to Minnesota this weekend, marking the first time the two have met since the national championship game last spring.
