For the first time this season, the UND women's hockey team lined up against an unranked opponent.
There was no letdown.
The Sioux set program records for most goals in a game and largest margin of victory in hammering the University of Vermont 9-1 this afternoon in Ralph Engelstad Arena.
Jocelyne Lamoureux tied a program record with five points in a game (two goals, three assists). Freshman teammates Michelle Karvinen and Andrea Dalen each added two goals and one assist as the Sioux took advantage of injuries to Vermont's top two defensemen.
Monique Weber, Mary Loken and Ashley Furia also scored for No. 7 UND, which improved to 2-3 after playing against No. 1 Wisconsin and No. 2 Boston University to open the season.
ADVERTISEMENT
"I knew coming into the week that the thing to pay attention to was playing at the same, consistent pace that we played with against BU and Wisconsin," Sioux coach Brian Idalski said. "I think, for the most part, we did a good job. It's one game. We've got to prove we can continue to play like that game after game, week after week.
"We've got to prove that we have a sweep mentality and we can play at that pace for a month, two months. That's our challenge."
The Sioux were up to that challenge against the Catamounts (0-2-2). They held a 17-2 edge in shots after the first period and ended the game outshooting Vermont 50-15. Shot attempts were 94-37.
The Sioux wasted no time jumping on the Catamounts, scoring twice in the opening three minutes.
"That lets the team relax a little bit," Jocelyne said. "I've been on the other side of that and that's a back-breaker when you've got to come back like that. To get two quick ones definitely helps relax the bench a little bit and we played a little more relaxed and not so uptight."
UND played without senior Alyssa Wiebe, who was out with an upper-body injury, but didn't have much problem in her absence because of the big games by the top two lines. Dalen, the right wing on the second line, had her first three-point game and has five points in five career games.
"We knew what we were getting," Idalski said. "I saw Dalen play about three or four years ago and knew she had the potential to be a very, very good player. She's already developing into that right before our eyes rather quickly."
Stephanie Ney stopped 14 of 15 shots, allowing her only goal on a scramble in the crease with 3:23 left in the third.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Sioux have now turned their focus to the series finale at 2:07 p.m. today.
"We need to start at zero again," Dalen said, "and just go out and do what we can - pressure hard and play our game and we'll be fine."
