Women's Hockey Trips Twice on the Road

Despite early season struggles, the Harvard women’s hockey team traveled to face the No. 3 University of Minnesota-Duluth this weekend with a No. 8 national ranking.

Unfortunately for the Crimson (3-4-2, 2-2-2 ECAC), the top-10 showdown did not go as anticipated. In a pair of games on Friday and Saturday in Duluth, Harvard fell 6-1 in both matchups with the Bulldogs (12-2, 10-2 WCHA), extending the Crimson’s winless streak to six games.

MINNESOTA-DULUTH 6, HARVARD 1

In Saturday’s contest, the Crimson came out strong, going to the locker room after the first period trailing 1-0. But on the second night, the second period would prove their undoing.

The Bulldogs poured in five goals in two contentious periods after the break—the first coming on a power play that followed a game misconduct penalty on Harvard freshman defenseman Nora Sluzas, who was called for checking from behind.

Minnesota-Duluth’s Juliane Jubinville was similarly tossed just one minute after the power-play score, marking the period’s second game misconduct.

For the second night, Minnesota-Duluth held a large edge in shots, tallying 42 to Harvard’s 29. Noemie Marin again posted two scores for the Bulldogs, while the Crimson was held scoreless until sophomore forward Laura Brady delivered early in the third period on the assist from junior defenseman Lindsay Weaver.

Once again, a goal was called back for Harvard, while the Bulldog’s power-play goal was extensively reviewed after it hit a post.

“I think we gave ourselves good goal scoring opportunities,” said captain forward Carrie Schroyer. “[Goalie Riitta Schaublin] would leave a lot of rebounds out in front of her and right at her feet, and we just didn’t finish.”

Harvard’s Ali Boe totaled 36 saves in the losing effort, while Schaublin made 28 saves for Minnesota-Duluth in a shoutout bid.

Despite the pair of tough games, the Crimson sees improvement and hope in the weekend.

“Regardless of the score, we felt we played hard and well,” junior forward Katie Johnston said. “With each game we play we’re getting better and better.”

“We did a lot of things right that weren’t reflected in the score,” Schroyer said. “If we come out and bring that style of play that we showed at times to the ECAC, we’ll do great.”

MINNESOTA-DULUTH 6, HARVARD 1

In the first game of the weekend, Harvard was taken aback early by Minnesota-Duluth’s offensive charge as the Bulldogs netted three scores in the first period. The Crimson’s young defense surrendered 11 shots in that period, and 41 overall.

“Obviously they were able to get off to a pretty quick start,” Schroyer said. “UMD is a great team. They really came out and challenged us in our defensive zone.”

Minnesota-Duluth’s Noemie Marin and Michaela Lanzl each scored twice, while Harvard senior netminder Ali Boe had 35 saves in the contest.

Meanwhile, Harvard was only able to find the net once in the game, a power-play goal by senior forward Jennifer Raimondi with 1:38 remaining, despite amassing 26 shots.

“I don’t think we were able to get as many quality chances as they did,” Johnston said.

One Crimson shot that appeared to have crossed the line was called back, aiding Schaublin as she notched 25 saves in the win.

Harvard returns to action Wednesday night on the road against Providence.