For the second straight weekend, the Gophers swept an East Coast road trip.
No. 2 Minnesota (15-2-1, 9-2-1) defeated Yale (2-10-0, 2-6-0) 7-1 on Friday and 3-1 on Saturday in New Haven, Connecticut. Minnesota has won eight consecutive games.
Head coach Brad Frost said the Gophers battled their way to sweep the Bulldogs.
“It was a workman-like effort for us tonight,” Frost said. “It was close right until the end. Our team did a good job finding a way and getting a sweep on the road.”
Center Abigail Boreen opened the scoring at 11:35 of the first period. It was Boreen’s second goal of the season. Less than five minutes later, Boreen’s linemate, left winger Kippin Keller, scored her first goal of the season at 16:26 of the first period to extend Minnesota’s lead to 2-0.
The Bulldogs cut the Gophers’ lead in the third to 2-1. After defending the lead with less than two minutes remaining in regulation, right winger Grace Zumwinkle put the game away by scoring into Yale’s empty net. It was Zumwinkle’s 12th goal of the season.
Goaltender Alex Gulstene made 17 saves for her 12th victory of the season. Minnesota remains undefeated this season when Gulstene is in net.
Zumwinkle said Minnesota needed to win these games heading into the Gophers’ final series before the holiday break.
“Getting two huge, crucial wins on the road is huge for our team,” Zumwinkle said.
Zumwinkle’s hat trick shines in blowout over Bulldogs
One of Minnesota’s top scorers had a historic night.
Zumwinkle scored a natural hat trick in the second period as the Gophers defeated the Bulldogs 7-1. It was her first collegiate hat trick.
Minnesota drew first blood when left winger Nicole Schammel scored at 5:25 of the first period. It was Schammel’s fifth goal of the season.
Zumwinkle put on a show in the second. She scored her first goal at 9:17 of the period as the Gophers capitalized on a power play. Schammel and defender Emily Brown assisted on the goal. Zumwinkle scored again at 13:04 and 19:11 of the period.
Zumwinkle credited her teammates for her offensive outburst.
“It’s my first [hat trick] as a Gopher, but without my teammates it wouldn’t be possible,” she said. “They’re the ones that set me up, so they’re the ones that should get just as much credit.”
Goaltender Sydney Scobee made eight saves and won her third game of the season in her first appearance since Oct. 28. It was Scobee’s first victory since Oct. 14. She had lost her past two starts.
Minnesota returns to the Twin Cities for its final series before finals and the holiday break. The Gophers face Robert Morris (8-8-4, 6-1-1) Friday-Saturday at Ridder Arena. Friday’s game begins at 7:07 p.m. and Saturday’s game begins at 1:07 p.m.
