Taylor Williamson Scores Twice as No. 3 Minnesota Women Shut Out No. 4 Ohio State

(image credit: @gopherwhockey on Twitter)

It took one game against Ohio State for the Gophers to accomplish something the team was unable to able to do in four regular season games last season: defeat the Buckeyes.

Friday’s win didn’t come easy. Matching up well in a goalie duel against the OSU’s top-six forwards and top-four defenders, No. 3 Minnesota (6-0-1, 4-0-1-0 WCHA) got some help from fourth-line forward Taylor Williamson. Shuffled down earlier in the season, Williamson made a game-changing goal on Ohio State freshman goaltender Andrea Braendli in the second period.

She added an empty-net goal as the Gophers shut out No. 4 Ohio State 3-0 Friday night.

“Having four lines roll is huge in a game,” said Williamson, who scored her first two goals of the season. “We really blew it away in that second period. We had shots completely increase so getting quick, hard shifts and the puck on net rather than high and wide is huge.”

Minnesota put 47 shots on goal with 35 coming in the final 30 minutes. Ohio State (5-2-0, 2-1-0-0 WCHA), whose last visit to Ridder Arena came in the 2018 Frozen Four, matched the home team for the first period with its speed and shot chances.

Sophomore goaltender Alex Gulstene was focused early and throughout Friday’s game. She stopped all 18 shots faced for her first career shutout.

“It just feels amazing. It’s one of the best feelings you can get as a goalie. I’m so proud of my team for stepping up there,” she said about the feat. “I love playing hockey. I love playing here. I love playing at the ‘U.’ I love playing big teams and playing in big games. I love playing road games. I just love to play here.”

Gulstene’s goalie counterpart, Braendli, was as dialed in as her. The Swiss Olympian finished with 44 saves, including a trio of breakaways on Taylor Heise, Amy Potomak and Grace Zumwinkle.

With the added intensity that comes from a growing rivalry and goalless game, Williamson was able to break through. The senior, facing Ohio State’s third defensive pairing, crashed the net to finish a scoring chance 11:12 into the second period.

“Huge,” said Minnesota head coach Brad Frost. “We moved her down to ‘the fourth line’ and to come away with two goals there and for her line to play so well was really fun.”

After Williamson’s goal, the Buckeyes were only able to garner five shots on goal.

“Having the puck is huge for our team. The other big thing that we’re focusing on and improving continuously throughout these weeks is our backchecking and our conditioning,” Williamson said. “When we do have a turnover, we’re hustling and everyone, all the forwards are getting back as fast as they can and marking up on those open players. Once we’re able to do that, then we can go back into the offensive zone and do our work.”

Ohio State kept itself within a goal until three minutes remained in the third period when Minnesota freshman Catie Skaja tapped home a loose puck.

“They’re a real good team. You saw that tonight,” said Frost. “For us to continue to build upon the last few weekends, I thought we played really, really solid tonight.

Both teams play again Saturday afternoon. Puck drop is at 3 pm.


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