Wisconsin extended their unbeaten streak to 22 games this weekend, dominating North Dakota 8-1 and 7-0 and outshooting the Fighting Sioux 82-19 over the series.
Sophomore Angie Keseley scored her first goal of the season Friday and added three assists Sunday, two of them on Erika Lawler goals.
""Our line just really connected well and moved the puck really well, which I think each game we're improving on,"" Keseley explained.
Friday, the Badgers jumped out to a 6-0 lead after two periods before North Dakota was able to beat senior goalie Christine Dufour, who started in goal on Friday night. Sophomore Jessie Vetter and freshman Alannah McCready combined for the shutout on Sunday. McCready saw the first action of her collegiate career, her only save coming on the first shift after she was put in for Vetter in the third period.
""It's a good opportunity for her to get the jitters and the butterflies out of her system as far as being in the net in the game,"" head coach Mark Johnson said.
Junior forward Jinelle Zaugg scored a pair of goals Sunday for a total of three on the weekend and moved into sole possession of fifth place on Wisconsin's all time goal scoring list. Senior forward Sara Bauer also became the first player in program history with 100 assists, tallying five of them on the weekend.
Assistant captain Phoebe Monteleone added a goal Sunday for Wisconsin. She plays on the team's ""energy"" line with senior Heidi Kletzien and sophomore center Kayla Hagen, who had seven points on the weekend.
Wisconsin put North Dakota away early in both games, controlling the puck in the Fighting Sioux zone for much of the 120 minutes of the two games.
Sunday, the Fighting Sioux had as many shots on goal (7) as the Badgers had goals.
North Dakota is a developing program with just two seniors on the squad and a team comprised mostly of freshmen and sophomores. The Badgers play in Grand Forks in mid-January where the Fighting Sioux will look to be more competitive.
Wisconsin is in Mankato next weekend for a two-game series against Minnesota State.
