Nov. 22, 2014
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State women’s hockey team fell to North Dakota, 4-3, Saturday in Grand Forks, N.D. The contest wrapped up a two-game series between the Buckeyes (7-7-1, 5-6-1-1 WCHA) and UND (5-7-2, 4-6-2-1 WCHA). Ohio State will once again hit the road for a matchup with Robert Morris slated for Friday, Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Senior forward Kayla Sullivan put the Buckeyes on the board at 6:18 in the first period of play. The goal, assisted by Cara Zubko and Bryanna Neuwald, was Sullivan’s second of the season. North Dakota responded with a score from Meghan Dufault at 14:22. Ohio State killed one penalty during the stanza, while redshirt junior goalie Stacy Danczak posted four saves.
The Buckeyes took a 2-1 lead in the second period off a power play goal from senior Taylor Kuehl. The Minnetrista, Minn. native has been a force for squad of late, scoring four goals in the last four games. Ohio State went 1-for-2 on the power play in the period, while Danczak added eight saves to her total. After two periods, the Buckeyes held a 19-13 advantage in shots over UND.
North Dakota’s offense came out firing in the third with two goals tallied in the opening three minutes. Shannon Kaiser snuck one past Danczak for the first score, while Amy Menke provided the go-ahead goal 2:45 into the period. UND then extended its lead to 4-2 off a goal from Becca Kohler. Senior Kari Schmitt responded for the Buckeyes with 10 seconds remaining in the game, 4-3; however, the score was a little too late as time expired before an equalizer could be made. The teams were even for the period in shots, with each totaling eight on goal.
The Buckeyes were 1-for-4 on the power play, picking up their first power play goal of the series. The team was 1-for-1 on the penalty kill, going 5-for-5 for the weekend.
Ohio State ended the game outshooting UND, 27-21. Danczak played 58.12 in goal for the Buckeyes, earning 17 saves. North Dakota goalie Lexie Shaw defended all 60 minutes with 24 saves credited.
