Senior defenseman Tessa Bonhomme collected her first career hat trick, but it was not enough as the No. 9/10 Ohio State women’s hockey team fell to No. 8/10 Minnesota by a score of 7-4 Friday.

Senior Ohio State women’s hockey captain Tessa Bonhomme plays tough hockey and doesn’t mind scrapping around with the other team to get what she wants.

Bonhomme, in her last year of a stellar Buckeye career, has racked up points and honors along the way, while winning the respect of her teammates and coaches.

“Tessa is the heart and soul of this team …it doesn’t matter if they’re a freshman or senior, everyone looks to her to set the example,” said Mallory Peckels, the senior assistant captain on the team. “She just goes out there and plays with all of her heart every game. It’s awesome to be on a team with her.”

Bonhomme’s accolades include being chosen for the American Hockey Coaches Association Second Team (2006-07) and First Team All-WCHA (2006-07), which is the league OSU women’s hockey belongs to. She was also the first Buckeye to be included in the WCHA All-Rookie Team in 2003-04.

The Western Collegiate Hockey Association is considered by many to be one of the toughest leagues for women’s hockey. All prior women’s national hockey championships have come from the WCHA, and Bonhomme is glad to call it home.

“I would say that the WCHA is the toughest league in all of divisional hockey. We’re proud to say it, and we’re proud to play in it,” Bonhomme said.

Bonhomme also leads the Buckeyes in goals, assists and is currently third all-time for defenseman in career points with 92, just seven shy of second place. But those points haven’t come easy for her. This past weekend against league rival Minnesota, she scored a double hat trick in goals and in penalties.

“I like to hack the black – I’m a grinder. I don’t mind taking a hit to get the puck, but when I’m around the net, I don’t mind playing finesse,” Bonhomme said. “(I’m an) offensive defenseman so to say.”

Bonhomme was not without improvement, however, when she first arrived to OSU. Like most players, she needed to work on her game.

“I think that she’s become a much better defensive player,” coach Jackie Barto said. “She’s always had good offensive abilities. She’s always had a nose for the net, but she’s really improved her defense ability.”

Bonhomme comes from a big hockey background. Her father coached college hockey and won a Canadian National Championship in 1997. Her background in hockey growing up has helped her bring that knowledge and passion to Buckeye hockey.

“She is probably the hardest worker on the team, knows most about the game. She’s someone to look up to, and she knows what to do,” said freshman defenseman Shannon Reilly.

Being on the ice comes naturally to her.

“I don’t even remember when I first started skating. I guess I was born in skates. My dad would always build us ice rinks in the backyard. He would just kind of pass on us skates and throw us out there and let us do what we had to do,” Bonhomme said.

But as for Buckeye hockey, she hasn’t met her personal goals yet. The team has reached some goals in prior seasons, but now they want to go out and work for more.

“We used to always say that we wanted (to be in the) top ten, but that’s not where we want to be (now),” Bonhomme said. “We want to be in the top eight and get a chance to play in the Frozen Four. It’s a long season, so anything can happen, so we’re just going to keep battling.”

And battle is what Bonhomme does best.