Bulldogs Sweep Home Opener with Gascon Shutout Record
Edit Danielsson fights to gain control of the puck. Credit: UMD Athletics
Bulldog Women’s Hockey opened this weekend with a two-game series against Mercyhurst University. The Bulldogs came out victorious, shutting out Mercyhurst 2-0 in game 1 on Friday, to bring the program to its 600th win, and following it with another shutout 4-0 in game 2 on Saturday.
The Bulldogs opened the season with three freshmen in the starting lineup, among ten new faces on the team this season. These freshmen did not hold the team back, however, as they played an integral part in the Bulldogs' win this weekend.
“Awesome. It’s even all the way down our lineup. The reason we are able to score goals is because we are able to keep going at them[Mercyhurst] and hounding them,” said junior Caitlin Kraemer about the freshmen this season.
“And that's from our coaches, our freshmen doing such a great job of learning our systems and taking the time and care to just respect the systems and actually realize how important they are for our success. I think that’s why we had the sweep this weekend.”
The Bulldogs took the first game with the help of a goal from Kraemer in the early second period and a goal from sophomore Rae Mayer late in the third to make a 2-0 Bulldog win.
The Bulldogs celebrate Caitlin Kraemer after a goal. Credit: UMD Athletics
Kraemer did not stop at game one, as she was able to put one in just 3 minutes into the first period during game two with an assist from freshman Laini Gnetz.
“I mean, it gives confidence to everyone.” Commented senior goaltender Ève Gascon. “Scoring early in the game gives momentum, and we just have the confidence going into the second and third that we can score, and we have the lead.”
The Bulldogs received momentum, gaining another goal by Kraemer towards the bottom of the first period, putting the Bulldogs up 2-0. The second period saw 14 shots from the Bulldogs, none of them hitting, however.
Picking up where they left off in the third period, the Bulldogs were able to muster up a goal towards the 8-minute mark by junior Zoe Krock before senior Ida Karlsson came to secure the win with 3 minutes left to bring the Bulldogs to 4-0.
This win marked the 23rd shutout for goaltender Ève Gascon, tying former Bulldog Emma Söderberg for all-time career shutouts. Additionally, this earned Gascon WCHA goalie of the week.
Gascon commented on this milestone, saying, “I mean, it's good, but all the shutouts are from the team, like you can’t do that without the team… It’s fun, but it’s not just me.”
The Bulldogs can next be seen taking on the University of Vermont in an away series on October 2 and 3.