WOMEN'S HOCKEY: Minnesota rallies to beat UND 5-2

MINNEAPOLIS - The UND women’s hockey team is the only squad to beat the University of Minnesota in Ridder Arena during the last two seasons.

But UND wasn’t able to add another one on Friday night.

Minnesota rallied from a 1-0 deficit to beat UND 5-2 in its home rink, staying unbeaten this season. The Gophers got the eventual game-winner from Cara Piazza at 11:54 of the third period and tacked on two empty-net goals to win the series opener.

The top-ranked Gophers improved to 6-0-1 overall this season, while UND dropped to 4-3.

Andrea Dalen got UND on the scoreboard first with a goal at 2:42 of the opening frame, but the Gophers stormed back. Dani Cameranesi tied it at 10:39 and defenseman Milicia McMillen gave the Gophers the lead for good at 11:19 of the second period.

Piazza scored her third goal of the season at 11:54 to make it 3-1. UND got back into the game on a tally by defenseman Tanja Eisenschmid, her first of the season, but Minnesota finished it with empty-netters by McMillen and Cameranesi.

The Gophers outshot UND 12-3 in the first period, but UND outshot Minnesota in the final two frames. It was to no avail.

UND, which snapped Minnesota’s NCAA-record 62-game winning streak in its last trip to Ridder Arena, will try for the split in the series finale at 4:07 p.m. today. 

Women’s hockey

Friday’s results

MINNESOTA 5,
UND 2

First period - 1. UND, Andrea Dalen 2 2:42; 2. M, Dani Cameranesi 7 (Hannah Brandt, Maryanne Menefee) 10:39

Second period - 3. M, Milicia McMillen 4 (Kelly Pannek, Brandt) 11:19

Third period - 4. M, Cara Piazza 3 (Pannek, Megan Wolfe) 11:54; 5. UND, Tanja Eisenschmid 1 (Dalen) 16:11; 6. M, McMillen 17:59 (en); 7. Cameranesi 8 (Rachael Bona) 19:59

Goalie saves - UND: Shelby Amsley-Benzie 11-7-8 - 26; M: Amanda Leveille 2-15-9 - 26 

WCHA women

                                  Record SW   Pts GF  GA

Wisconsin                    4-2-0      0   15    23   10

Minnesota                   4-0-1      0   13    17     7

North Dakota             3-1-0      0     9    11     8

Ohio State                   2-2-0      0     6      6   10

Minnesota Duluth       1-4-1      1     5      8   18

St. Cloud State          1-0-1      1     5      6     2

MSU-Mankato            0-4-1      0     1      4   18

Bemidji State              0-2-0      0     0      1     6

Overall records

Wisconsin 6-2-0, Minnesota 6-0-1, North Dakota 4-3-0, Ohio State 4-2-0, Minnesota Duluth 2-4-2, St. Cloud State 2-3-1, Bemidji State 4-2-0, Minnesota State 0-4-1

Friday’s results

Minnesota 5, North Dakota 2

Mercyhurst 5, Minnesota State 1

Wisconsin 2, Bemidji State 1