The women's hockey team began its title defense Saturday with its first official practice of the season. Earlier this week, the team was named the unanimous No. 1 team in the country by USCHO.com and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine.

"It was a good first day. Everybody has come back in shape and the players look good," head coach Brad Frost told GopherSports.com. "They're doing a good job buying into what we need them to buy into. We have a quick turnaround here as we're playing in less than a week, so we're throwing a lot at them and they're accepting that well."

The Gophers open their season two games against Colgate on Sept. 28-29 at Ridder Arena.