Minnesota Women Shut Out, Sweep Mercyhurst

Towards the end of the first period, when the shot counter was a lopsided 20-1 for the home team it became apparent that the Gophers had found a better start against No. 10 Mercyhurst.

That continued throughout Saturday’s game.

No. 3 Minnesota (2-0-0, 0-0-0-0 WCHA) won 5-0 to sweep the Lakers at Ridder Arena thanks to a three-goal second period and two goals by sophomore forward Grace Zumwinkle.

Outshooting Mercyhurst (0-2-0, 0-0-0 CHA) 20-4 in the first period and 43-17 overall, the home team scored in all three periods.

“We just challenged them a little more. When our teams have been at their best, they’ve just not been a second-period team. They’ve been a three-period team,” said Gopher head coach Brad Frost. “Last night as we watched video back the first four shifts were pretty good, then it came to a screeching halt. We needed to build on that momentum.”

Sydney Scobee, in her Gopher debut after transferring from Vermont, stopped all 17 shots faced to get the shutout win. With friends and family in attendance, the Minnetrista native went through several long stretches where the visitors didn’t test her. Teammates blocked shots. Minnesota’s offense controlled puck possession.

Still, Scobee came through when needed. After Zumwinkle scored the only goal of the first period, the junior goaltender faced a breakaway and five shot sequence in the opening minute of the second period to keep Mercyhurst from tying the game.

“It was a 2-and-1 and I was communicating with the D partner that I had the shooter,” she said. “They shot it and then I don’t know, it was just reactions after that.”

Alex Woken doubled Minnesota’s lead midway through the second period with her first goal of the season. Four minutes later, Patti Marshall found Zumwinkle open in the slot. The sophomore one-timed the puck off Lakers goalie Kennedy Blair and into the net for her second career multi-goal game.

“To be quite frank, I didn’t think that was going to go in, but it trickled in slowly. I’m not quite sure how often that happens but a goal’s a goal,” said Zumwinkle.

Sarah Potomak made it 4-0 when she tipped a Kelly Pannek pass past Blair, who finished with 38 saves.

Freshman Taylor Heise completed the scoring in the third period with her first collegiate goal.

“It’s absolutely amazing to get the shutout,” said Scobee.

Frost said after the game that this is the first time in his 12 year history coaching the Gophers that he is confident in running four lines against anyone. Minnesota’s top three lines each contributed Saturday.

“A big emphasis on our team will be quick starts; especially in the first period,” Zumwinkle said. “Each line, no matter who is out next, (needs) to keep feeding off each other. So if one line has a productive offensive shift, the next who is out can feed off that and we can string a few good shifts together.”

The Gophers next travel to Duluth to face No. 9 Minnesota Duluth in an early season battle of undefeated teams. UMD began the year sweeping No. 4 Boston College. Friday’s game is at 7:00 pm while Saturday’s begins at 4 p.m.


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