Gopher Women Score Shootout Win Over Ohio State

MINNEAPOLIS (Gophersports.com) - The No. 2 Minnesota women's hockey team took two WCHA points from Ohio State with a 3-1 shootout win over the Buckeyes after the teams tied 3-3 in overtime in front of 2,340 fans at Ridder Arena Friday night.

Sophomore Dani Cameranesi (Plymouth, Minn.) scored the shootout-winning goal after juniors Hannah Brandt (Vadnais Heights, Minn.) and Milica McMillen (St. Paul, Minn.) also scored on their attempts. Junior goaltender Amanda Leveille (Kingston, Ont.) stopped Julianna Iafallo's shot in the second round for the 3-1 shootout victory.

Minnesota (23-1-4, 16-1-4-2 WCHA) led 3-1 after two periods, but Ohio State's Taylor Kuehl tied the score at 3-3 with 16:44 remaining in regulation. The Gophers held a 5-3 advantage in shots on goal in overtime, and a 32-38 edge for the game, but could not regain the lead.

"It was a hard-fought game here tonight," head coach Brad Frost said. "I thought Ohio State battled and competed for the full 65 minutes. I thought we did that in spurts. We had our opportunities there early, I felt like later we didn't gain much and they got a few more chances."

Senior Meghan Lorence (Mounds View, Minn.) led the Gophers with two points on a goal and an assist. Ohio State (14-10-3, 9-9-3-1 WCHA) was led by Kuehl, who finished with two goals, and goaltender Stacy Danczak's 29 saves.

Lorence put the Gophers on the board just 90 seconds into the game, but OSU's Danielle Gagne evened the score just 1:16 later. Sophomore Lee Stecklein (Roseville, Minn.) then scored on the power play to give the Maroon & Gold a 2-1 lead heading into the first intermission.

The teams exchanged goals in the second period as freshman Cara Piazza (Darien, Ill.) scored her ninth goal of the season to make it 3-1, but Kuehl scored her first of two goals for the Buckeyes to again make it a one-goal game at 3-2 after two periods. Kuehl then scored the equalizer 3:26 into the third period to eventually send the game to overtime.

"Overall, it's good to get two points on the night, but we'll need to be a little better here to come away with three points tomorrow," Frost said.

Minnesota and Ohio State wrap up this weekend's series at 2 p.m. CT Saturday afternoon at Ridder Arena.