 Media Credit: Jill Bonnough Junior goaltender Erika Vanderveer notched a 3-0 shutout last Friday in helping the Buckeyes improve to 4-0 on the season.
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After a record-setting offensive performance at Northeastern (1-2, 1-0 Hockey East) this past weekend, the No. 10 Ohio State women's hockey team (4-0, 2-0 WCHA) continues its road stretch this weekend, traveling to No. 3 Minnesota-Duluth (3-1-0, 3-1-0 WCHA). The Bulldog's lone loss was handed to them by No. 1 Wisconsin in overtime.
The Buckeyes will look to continue last weekend's impressive offense that saw them outshoot the Huskies 93-50 in the two-game series, including a school-record 55 shots Saturday.
OSU's goaltender, junior Erika Vanderveer, shut out Northeastern 3-0 Friday night at Matthews Arena in Boston. Vanderveer stopped all 26 shots she faced to pick up her fourth career shutout
"Having the experience of last year under my belt has given me a lot of confidence in each game," Vanderveer said. "Just knowing that I've been up against each opponent before helps me go into those games mentally prepared."
The Buckeyes were lead by another great outing from their young players. Sophomore center Shelby Aldous scored her second goal of the season on a rebound off a shot by junior winger Katie Maroney at 7:50 in the first period. Freshman defenseman Kelly Cahill continued her strong play with an assist on junior captain defenseman Amber Bowman's top-shelf power-play goal at 11:14 in the third period. Fellow freshman winger Morgan Marziali finished up the Buckeye scoring with her second goal of the season on an empty-netter just before the final buzzer.
The Buckeyes combined the solid play of Vanderveer in goal with a tough defensive attack, especially on penalty kill, holding the Huskies scoreless on all six power play opportunities.
Saturday's game did not go quite as smoothly for the Buckeyes, although it is not apparent by the score. The team tallied 55 shots and defeated the Huskies 6-2, but it took a four-goal final period to overcome a one-goal deficit.
The Buckeyes got on the board first 3:58 into the opening period when sophomore forward Mallory Peckels scored a back-handed goal assisted by senior captain Jana Harrigan and Marziali.
The Huskies tied the game at 1-1 1:34 into the second period when sophomore forward Nikki Petrich scored a power-play goal to end Vanderveer's shutout streak at 101:19. Petrich's was the first power-play goal given up by the Buckeye defense this season.
Spring Break
