Ohio State's 4-3 victory snaps 21-game winless streak against the defending NCAA champions
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Rookie forward Hokey Langan scored with just under five minutes remaining in the third period to lead the Ohio State women's hockey team to a 4-3 upset at No. 5 Wisconsin Friday at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. It is the Buckeyes' first win against the defending NCAA champs in the last 22 meetings and the first victory in Madison since 2003.
Ohio State moves to 2-2-3 overall with a 2-2-1 record in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Wisconsin is 2-3-0 with an identical mark in conference play.
Wisconsin came charging out in the third period and chipped away at the Buckeye lead with three goals in the first 15 minutes of the period. With the score knotted at 3-all, Langan answered the third UW goal just 44 seconds after it was scored to return the lead to the Buckeyes and eventually give Ohio State the win.
The Buckeyes built a 3-0 lead over the first and second periods. Sophomore forward Melissa Feste got Ohio State on the board 7:31 into the opening stanza with an assist by senior co-captain Rachel Davis.
The sophomore class continued to add to the lead in the second period, scoring two goals in slightly over a one-minute span. Natalie Spooner netted the first at 10:40, set up by junior defenseman Shannon Reilly and Feste. Laura McIntosh then scored on passes by Langan and senior co-captain Raelyn LaRocque 64 seconds later.
Scoring for the Badgers in the third period were Saige Pacholok at 7:12, followed by Kyla Sanders (9:30) and Mallory Deluce (14:21).
Freshman goaltender Chelsea Knapp made 27 saves to pick up her second win of the season and move to 2-2-3. Becca Ruegsegger, also a rookie, had 23 saves and is 1-2-0 for Wisconsin.
Overall, the Badgers had a 30-27 advantage in shots. The Buckeyes were 0-of-4 on the power play, but a perfect 8-of-8 on the penalty kill.
Ohio State and Wisconsin will conclude their series with a 7 p.m. game Saturday at the Kohl Center. Live-streaming video is available on www.BigTenNetwork.com and live stats are available on www.UWBadgers.com.
The Ohio State University Department of Athletics sponsors 36 fully funded varsity teams – 17 for women, 16 for men and three co-educational. The department is committed to providing its more than 1,000 student-athletes with the finest in academic and athletics support in order to ensure a quality and life-enhancing experience. The Department of Athletics is completely self-supporting and receives no university monies, tax dollars or student fees. In Fiscal Year 2009-10, the Department of Athletics will transfer back to the University more than $29 million in assessments, including $14.5 million in grant-in-aid costs.
