Despite holding a 36-25 shot advantage, co-No. 1 Wisconsin fell to No. 4 Minnesota Duluth 5-2 Saturday afternoon at the Kohl Center.
With the game tied 2-2 after two periods, Wisconsin’s Jinelle Zaugg had a chance to give the Badgers the lead on a penalty shot just 32 seconds into the third after a Bulldog defender covered the puck in the crease. However, Zaugg’s shot sailed high and Minnesota Duluth went on to score three goals to seal the win.
Noemie Marin provided the offense for UMD (1-0-0,1-0-0), racking up a goal and three assists on Minnesota Duluth’s first four goals. In the other end, goalie Riitta Schaublin stopped 34 shots to earn the win. Junior goalie Christine Dufour recorded 20 saves as the Badgers (0-1-0 overall, 0-1-0 WCHA) dropped their season-opener for the first time since the 1999-2000 season.
The Bulldogs took a 3-2 lead at the 13:26 mark of the third period when Michaela Lanzl knocked in a rebound for a power-play goal. Jessica Koizumi and Marin were credited with assists on what proved to be the game-winning goal. Marin broke the game open 1:29 later with her first goal of the season. Koizuma added an empty-net goal to clinch the 5-2 victory.
The Bulldogs struck first 15:59 into the first when Rachael Drazan beat Dufour with a shot from the left circle. Marin and Krista McArthur added assists on the power-play goal.
Cole responded for the Badgers 3:50 into the second. Junior Sara Bauer skated around the net and found Cole in front to tie the game at one.
The Badgers took their only lead of the game 12:37 into the second period. After Zaugg took a shot from the left circle, Kenyon found the rebound and knocked it past Schaublin.
UMD tied the game just 50 seconds later when Jill Sales sent a quick shot from the slot past Dufour.
Wisconsin finished the game 0-for-8 on the power play while Minnesota Duluth was 2-for-7. Wisconsin dropped to just 1-7-1 against UMD and Minnesota during the regular season since the beginning of last season.
The Badgers and Bulldogs meet again in WCHA action Sunday afternoon at the Kohl Center. Face off is set for 2:07 p.m.
