The Wisconsin women's hockey team kicked off its 2007-'08 campaign with a sweep of Union, beating the Dutchwomen 5-0 and 11-0 this weekend. With the two wins, the Badgers extended its unbeaten streak to 28 games.
Junior defenseman Alycia Matthews kicked off Wisconsin's weekend-long goal scoring campaign with a first-period power-play goal to put the Badgers up 1-0.
Off of a rebound, junior forward Angie Keseley gave Wisconsin a 2-0 lead, three minutes after the Matthews goal.
In the second period, sophomore forward Emily Kranz gave Wisconsin a 3-0 advantage. Third-period goals from sophomore forward Kyla Sanders and freshman forward Mallory Deluce finished out the scoring for the Badgers.
Junior goalie Jessie Vetter was untested throughout the game, making just five saves for her 16th career shutout. Union was unable to get a shot on goal until 3:12 into the third period.
Sophomore goalie Alannah McCready made her first career start Saturday in the latter game of the series. She faced a slightly tougher task than Vetter the previous night, but provided the same result, earning her first career shutout with a 14-save effort.
Wisconsin's 11-goal night began with a first period lamp-lighter from sophomore forward Meghan Duggan, who redirected a shot from senior defenseman Emily Morris for the eventual game-winner.
Duggan, Sanders, Keseley and freshman forward Hilary Knight all had two-goal games for Wisconsin. Morris, Deluce and freshman forward Kelly Nash recorded the other scores for the Badgers.
The Badgers pressured Union goalie Lundy Day throughout the two games. Wisconsin had 99 shots on goal over the two games, including 57 in the series finale.
Wisconsin's unbeaten streak dates back to Nov. 24, 2006, when the Badgers lost to eventual national championship runner-up Minnesota-Duluth.
In her last nine games including the postseason, Vetter has given up just one goal, which came in the national championship game when Wisconsin beat UMD 4-1.
The Badgers next weekend face Robert Morris in the home opener. Last year, Wisconsin played Robert Morris twice, beating them by a total score of 15-0. Friday's game is at 7 p.m., while Saturday night will feature Wisconsin Hockey Night at the Rink,"" including the first men's hockey practice of the season.
Women's and men's head coaches Mark Johnson and Mike Eaves will preview the season to the fans in attendance along with Brian Posick of WIBA radio, with the puck dropping between Wisconsin and Robert Morris at 7 p.m.
