The defense got most of the credit last weekend in preserving 2-0 and 1-0 wins against Michigan State and Northwestern respectively, and on Tuesday the eldest member of the Gophers defense took some credit for herself.
Sophomore Juli Montgomery was named co-Big Ten player of the week. She shares the honor with Michigan’s Kacy Beitel.
Montgomery and the Gophers defense held the Spartans and Wildcats to a combined nine shots and no goals in getting the Gophers quickly back into the conference race.
Montgomery didn’t stand out with any gaudy statistics, but don’t tell that to Kathleen Montgomery, Juli’s mother.
“I think it’s unusual for a defender to get it,” Kathleen said. “But the whole defense played really solid and she’s the sophomore of a young defense. I’m her mom and I’m biased. I’m not going to hide that.”
The Gophers are on the road this weekend against Ohio State and Penn State this weekend. Minnesota won the Big Ten championship in 1995 and 1997 before placing a dissapointing sixth in the regular season last year. The Gophers are in third in the Big Ten heading into this weekend.

— Compiled by Mark Heller