No. 8 Ohio State(13-8-4 overall, 7-7-3 in the WCHA) snapped a five-game unbeaten streak Friday, falling to No. 3 Minnesota-Duluth (16-4-3 overall, 11-4-2 in the WCHA), 5-1, in the series opener at the OSU Ice Rink.
Maria Rooth put the Bulldogs on the board first, at 6:10 in the first stanza, with the assist going to Navada Russell. The Buckeyes responded immediately, erasing the 1-0 deficit with a goal just 17 seconds later. Meghan Mulvaney collected a pass in the high slot from Jeni Creary and converted at 6:27. The first period ended with the score deadlocked at one.
UMD answered with four goals in the second stanza. Michelle McAteer, Hanne Sikio, Rooth and Joanne Eustace tallied for the Bulldogs at 5:19, 7:44, 11:11 and 18:37, respectively. Rooth’s goal, which was unassisted, was her second of the night and 18th of the season. Russell recorded her second assist of the game on Eustace’s tally.
UMD outshot Ohio State, 29-15. The Buckeyes are 2-7-3 this season when their opponent has the upper hand in shots.
All five UMD goals were even strength, as the Buckeyes held the Bulldogs scoreless through five power-play opportunities. Ohio State was unable to convert on five chances of its own.
OSU goalie Melissa Glaser registered 24 saves, including 15 in the third period alone. She falls to 11-5-3 on the season. Patricia Sautter picked up the win for the Bulldogs behind 14 stops.
