Gopher Women Open 2016 With 3-1 Win

MINNEAPOLIS (Gophersports.com) - The No. 3 Minnesota women's hockey team earned a 3-1 win over Ohio State in front of 2,431 fans at Ridder Arena Saturday afternoon. Sarah Potomak and Sydney Baldwin led the Gophers with two assists each, and Dani Cameranesi sealed the win with an empty-net goal in the final 90 seconds.

"Well, it was a great game," head coach Brad Frost said. "I thought both teams competed really hard, and for us it was the first game back from break. I was proud of the way our kids competed and battled. We had a ton of chances, two crossbars, a post, and many other grade-A chances."

The Gophers scored once in each period beginning with a Kelly Pannek goal to give the Maroon & Gold a 1-0 lead at the 16:16 mark of the first period. Potomak and Milica McMillen picked up assists on the play.

Taylor Williamson then doubled the Minnesota lead, netting her second goal of the season at 4:36 of the second period. Baldwin and Brook Garzone picked up assists on the play as Williamson's shot snuck past OSU netminder Alex LaMere. Before the end of the middle frame, Julia McKinnon put the Buckeyes on the board, making it 2-1 with an unassisted tally.

The Gophers held onto their one-goal lead throughout the third period, and OSU pulled LaMere for an extra attacker with 1:39 remaining. Cameranesi capitalized with an empty-net goal, sealing the victory off assists from Potomak and Baldwin.

Minnesota (16-3-0, 12-3-0 WCHA) outshot OSU, 28-19, andk Amanda Leveille made 18 saves while LaMere made 25 stops for the Ohio State (7-14-0, 3-12-0 WCHA).

"Their goaltender played rea lly well, and I thought Amanda Leveille,coming back on just a night’s rest after playing for Canada in Germany, was outstanding, in particular early for us," Frost said. "Without Hannah Brandt in the lineup, other people need to step up, and I thought they did that. So, a little adversity tonight, and kids fought through it. I'm really proud of them for it."

The Gophers and Buckeyes wrap up the series at 2 p.m. CT Sunday afternoon. As part of the Gophers' Dollar Day promotion, all general admission tickets are $1 online or at the door.

Due to multiple University of Minnesota and outside events on campus this weekend, including the Minnesota Vikings’ playoff game Sunday, fans are advised to plan ahead for increased traffic and limited parking. More information is available here: z.umn.edu/pts0116