2008 Woodie Awards
Bulldog women's hockey comes home with two wins
Kjestine Steinbring
Issue date: 10/8/08 Section: Sports
The defending national champions took the ice for their first game of the season last weekend against Niagara University.
On Friday, the game started off on a rough note with the Bulldogs falling behind 2-0.
However, junior Jaime Rassmussen scored the first Bulldog goal of the season late in the first period, giving the team a sense of renewed hope.
Fellow junior Saara Tuominen scored less than a minute into the second period, tying it up and gaining some momentum back for the dogs.
Emmanuel Blais scored the game winner at 5:13 in the third and the scoring would only continue.
The Bulldogs put three more past the Niagara goalie.
This 6-2 win was for one the books.
"Niagara came out very strong and had us on our heels," said senior Sara O'Toole. "I felt this was good for us because right away we knew we were going to have to work as a team and come together."
Sophomore Haley Irwin agrees.
"It's a great feeling no matter when you are successful, but it's key to start off the season on the right foot," Irwin said.
The Bulldogs were raring to go from the moment the puck dropped at Saturday's game.
Right away in the first period, the Dogs scored three power-play goals, with Tuominen, sophomore Laura Fridfinnson and Blais all adding their second goals of the weekend.
The Bulldogs had a secure hold on the game.
"We were successful because we kept it simple," said O'Toole. "We're still getting to know each other on the ice."
After assisting on three other goals, O'Toole was able to add her own mark to the scoreboard in the second.
After two periods, it was still a solid 4-0 lead for UMD.
Niagara was able to score at 11:37 in the third, but Tawni Mattila scored two more goals in under 5 minutes.
With only 1:30 left in the game, the fate was sealed and UMD won the series and game with a 6-1 final.
The Bulldogs out shot the Purple Eagles 87 to 38 on the weekend, and Kim Martin only allowed 3 goals all weekend, according to the UMD Web site.
"We now have our first two games under our belt, and I think that helped for everyone to get the nerves out," said Irwin.
The next series for the Bulldogs will be a big one; they host Minnesota on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 10-11 to kick of WCHA play. The game is set for 7:37 p.m. on Friday.
On Friday, the game started off on a rough note with the Bulldogs falling behind 2-0.
However, junior Jaime Rassmussen scored the first Bulldog goal of the season late in the first period, giving the team a sense of renewed hope.
Fellow junior Saara Tuominen scored less than a minute into the second period, tying it up and gaining some momentum back for the dogs.
Emmanuel Blais scored the game winner at 5:13 in the third and the scoring would only continue.
The Bulldogs put three more past the Niagara goalie.
This 6-2 win was for one the books.
"Niagara came out very strong and had us on our heels," said senior Sara O'Toole. "I felt this was good for us because right away we knew we were going to have to work as a team and come together."
Sophomore Haley Irwin agrees.
"It's a great feeling no matter when you are successful, but it's key to start off the season on the right foot," Irwin said.
The Bulldogs were raring to go from the moment the puck dropped at Saturday's game.
Right away in the first period, the Dogs scored three power-play goals, with Tuominen, sophomore Laura Fridfinnson and Blais all adding their second goals of the weekend.
The Bulldogs had a secure hold on the game.
"We were successful because we kept it simple," said O'Toole. "We're still getting to know each other on the ice."
After assisting on three other goals, O'Toole was able to add her own mark to the scoreboard in the second.
After two periods, it was still a solid 4-0 lead for UMD.
Niagara was able to score at 11:37 in the third, but Tawni Mattila scored two more goals in under 5 minutes.
With only 1:30 left in the game, the fate was sealed and UMD won the series and game with a 6-1 final.
The Bulldogs out shot the Purple Eagles 87 to 38 on the weekend, and Kim Martin only allowed 3 goals all weekend, according to the UMD Web site.
"We now have our first two games under our belt, and I think that helped for everyone to get the nerves out," said Irwin.
The next series for the Bulldogs will be a big one; they host Minnesota on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 10-11 to kick of WCHA play. The game is set for 7:37 p.m. on Friday.
Be the first to comment on this story