Women’s Hockey: Minnesota State Tops Catamounts 2-0

Courtesy Vermont Sports Information

BURLINGTON — Anna Wilgren struck with 8:54 left in regulation to clinch the Windjammer Classic consolation game for the Minnesota State Mavericks (7-9-2, 2-8-2 WCHA) on Saturday afternoon against the Vermont Catamounts (5-7-5, 2-5-3 HEAW).

COACH’S QUOTE
“We competed hard today, but we just didn’t finish again,” said head coach Jim Plumer. “We learn from everything that happens. I know this team is capable of putting pucks in the net and playing at a high level.”

HOW IT HAPPENED
Natalie Ferenc (19 saves) was tested early by the Mavericks offense, but made several key saves to keep MSU off the scoresheet. Her most notable stop came towards the end of the Minnesota State flurry when she slid across the crease to deny Brooke Bryant waiting at the backdoor.
Corinne McCool nearly opened the scoring for the Catamounts when she one-timed a pass from left of the crease, but narrowly missed Calla Frank (23 saves) and the MSU goal. Anna Erickson whistled a shot past the Mavericks’ goaltender later in the period that ricocheted off the post and wide.
Ferenc continued to make timely stops early in the third period, but Wilgren was eventually able to sneak a shot past the UVM netminder. Mariah Gardner found Wilgren who skated down the half-wall and wristed the puck over the blocker of Ferenc. Emily Antony had the secondary assist for the Mavs.
The Catamounts almost tied the game on a late power-play opportunity. Sini Karjalainen rifled a slap shot from the point and UVM collapsed around the MSU goal, but the puck was eventually cleared out.
Claire Butorac added the insurance marker with an empty-net goal in the final seconds of the game. Kennedy Bobyck and Wilgren were credited with assists.

UP NEXT
Vermont is back on the ice on Friday (Dec. 6) for the start of a two-game series at Maine. Puck drop for Friday’s contest at Alfond Arena is slated for 6 p.m. The Catamounts will then play their final game before the holiday break on Saturday (Dec. 7) at 2 p.m.