The visiting Mavericks offered fairly sparse resistance as the Badgers shut them out twice on home turf. Senior forward Claire Enright stepped up, logging two goals and three assists over the weekend.
Saturday
By: Jonathan Mintz
Wisconsin dominated from start to finish, earning a 4-0 win over the Minnesota State Mavericks in a game that was never in question.
The Badgers honored the late Phil Dzick with a video tribute and a moment of silence before Saturday’s contest.
With senior forwards Kirsten Simms and Laila Edwards out, Claire Enright was moved onto the top line.
Enright made the most of her opportunity, but for her, it was just like any other game. “I think you just, kinda have to play your game no matter where you are in the lineup,” she said in the postgame press conference. For a Badgers squad that’s battled injuries much more this year than last year, that next-man-up mentality has been vital.
About 3 minutes into the game, Minnesota State freshman Mercury Bischoff picked up a tripping minor for a leg-on-leg collision with senior forward Marianne Picard. About a minute later, Minnesota State goaltender Hailey Hansen was late to get back in position after a shot from senior defender Caroline Harvey rebounded to junior center Cassie Hall, who scored an easy power play goal to open the scoring.
After killing a penalty, Enright forced an offensive zone turnover in the crease, giving freshman phenom Adéla Šapovalivová an open look about two feet away from the goal line which she converted for Wisconsin’s second goal of the opening period, both of which capitalized on Hansen’s poor positioning leaving the corners of the net open.
Wisconsin and Mankato traded unsuccessful power play opportunities to start the second period.
With 11:28 left in the second period, Enright snuck a shot past Hansen on a breakaway for her first goal of the year.
About 90 seconds before the second intermission, sophomore forward Maggie Scannell and Mankato freshman Mika Cichosz were given roughing penalties for a post-whistle altercation, sending the game to two minutes of 4-on-4 play.
In the first five minutes of the third period, Wisconsin found a few high-danger chances, but Hansen stood strong in her crease, stopping all of them.
Six minutes into the final period, junior defender Laney Potter crashed into the Wisconsin net. Potter immediately went down the tunnel and never returned to the game.
Hall set up behind Hansen’s net and found junior forward Kelly Gorbatenko in the slot who scored to make it a 4-0 game with 10 minutes left.
Junior goaltender Ava McNaughton was perfect Saturday afternoon, logging a 25-save shutout, her 6th perfect game of the year.
Sunday
By: Hannah Sarnoff
The second game of the series was fast and aggressive from the beginning. Only five minutes into the game, Badgers forward Hannah Halverson found the back of the net off a tip from Harvey. The goal was Halverson’s first of the season.
Wisconsin kept building their momentum when forward Lacey Eden scored over Hansen’s left side. Hansen, with her glove on the right side, allowed Wisconsin to capitalize off left sided shots.
The Badgers again took advantage when Gorbatenko scored on a backhanded scoop with eight minutes remaining in the period to push the score to 3-0.
With just 52 seconds remaining, Hall scored her tenth goal of the season to add to the Badgers’ lead.
In the second period, McNaughton saw a lot more action but stayed vigilant, keeping Minnesota State off the scoreboard.
Just four and half minutes into the period, Enright received a clean pass from Šapovalivová and scored cleanly.
Wisconsin’s domination would continue through the period.
Halfway through the period, Scannell powered the puck through for a Badger goal, making it 6-0.
Going into the third period, Minnesota State looked to switch things up, taking out Hansen and putting in Avery Stilwell. But it only took 55 seconds for the Badgers to get started. With a pass from Enright, Šapovalivová was able to add Wisconsin’s seventh goal.
Just five minutes later, Badger defenseman Vivian Jungels passed to McCarthy who sent it in from the far back corner, not giving Stilwell time to react.
With a large lead, Wisconsin head coach Mark Johnson felt comfortable putting Rhyah Stewart in net. Stewart started off her game with a Minnesota State power play. However, even with the power play, the Mavericks could not score, and the Badgers won 8-0.
The Badgers have taken some heavy hits physically, with both Laila Edwards and Kristen Simms missing the last few games. They were seen at practice over the week, however. Potter's condition is changing day-to-day, and it does not look like she’ll be back for the series against rival Minnesota this Friday and Saturday in Madison.
The No. 1 Badgers take on the No. 3 Minnesota Gophers for a Halloween series on Friday and Saturday.
