Women's Hockey Looks To Make More History

Red-hot Mavericks have never recorded a victory over Wisconsin

by Dan Myers
Issue date: 1/25/07 Section: Womens Sports

Like their male counterparts, the Minnesota State women's hockey team goes into this weekend on a roll.

Coming off their first sweep over Minnesota in program history, the Mavericks (13-11-1 overall, 9-10-1 WCHA) head east in search of another first: a win over Wisconsin.

In 30 games versus the Badgers since 1999, the Mavericks have lost 29 of them. Their only point was a 3-3 tie at the Kohl Center in 2002.

But this year's Maverick bunch is not opposed to making history.

Earlier this season, MSU traveled to Duluth and took three points from the highly ranked Bulldogs - their first win on the North Shore.

Last weekend's historic sweep over the Gophers continued a winning streak which is now at seven games, the most in program history.

"There is no reason to believe we can't do it again [this weekend]," said head coach Jeff Vizenor. "All we can ask of our kids is that they play to the best of their ability, and if we do that, we are a pretty good team. We just need our whole team to come out and play a consistent 60 minutes. When we do that, good things usually happen for us."

But winning in Madison this weekend is no ordinary task.

The Badgers have lost only five games at the Kohl Center in the last three seasons, all of them to either Minnesota or Minnesota-Duluth. MSU came close once last season, losing 3-2 in the Friday game before falling 5-0 the following day. The two teams met at All Seasons Arena in November, and the Badgers won both games going away - 3-1 Friday and 6-1 Saturday. UW fired 59 shots in the latter game, including an astounding 27 in the second period alone.

So why does Minnesota State have a chance this weekend?

"Everybody is really finding their niche and their role," Vizenor said. "Everybody is doing their job to the best of their ability. That's what we need from everyone, every night."

In order to extend their winning streak, the Mavericks will have to shut down one of the nation's most potent group of scorers.

Junior Jinelle Zaugg brings size, speed and a scoring touch among the best in the country. Her 18 goals leads the Badgers and 32 points is tied for second on the team with newcomer Meghan Duggan, who has tallied 17 goals of her own. Sara Bauer, the reigning Patty Kanzmeier award winner, leads the WCHA in points with 44 - 10 more than the next person. Zaugg, Duggan and senior defenseman Meaghan Mikkelson stand third, fourth and fifth in WCHA scoring, respectively.

"They're dangerous up and down their lineup," Vizenor said. "They're just a high quality team and the thing for us to get good goaltending and for us to be responsible defensively. If we do that, I think we'll be in good position."

Mikkelson also leads a talented, veteran group of defenders that includes team captain Bobbi-Jo Slusar and juniors Emily Morris and Mikka Nordby.

In net, junior Jessie Vetter has experience - she led UW to their first national championship last season. She splits time with senior Christine DuFour. Both have a goals against below 1.15 and a save percentage above 93 percent.

In short, both can play.

"There is a reason they won the national title and lost only about four kids," Vizenor said. "They're the No. 2 team and closing pretty quick on [No.1] Mercyhurst. They are a high quality team that will give us a good test."

Minnesota State and Wisconsin face off at 2:07 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. The men's teams follow, both nights at 7:07 p.m.

Dan Myers is the Reporter Sports Editor