UMD women's hockey: Bulldogs return home to upset Buckeyes 5-2

Playing its first home game in 47 days, Minnesota Duluth returned to Amsoil Arena in style Friday with a 5-2 victory over second-ranked Ohio State in WCHA play.

The Bulldogs leapt out to a 3-0 lead in the first period, extending it to 4-0 by the end of the second against a Buckeyes team whose only losses prior to Friday were against No. 1 Wisconsin.

"I'm thrilled with the way we played, especially in the first period," Bulldogs coach Maura Crowell said. "We haven't been home since mid-October. It's only our third home series. We talked about being good at home and we showed it. That's how we want to play all the time and we hadn't done that yet. I'm really proud of the way we came out today in the first and kept it going throughout the whole game."

Fifth-year senior Anna Klein had two goals and an assist to hit 101 points for her career, a week after scoring her 50th career goal.

Klein said they are cool milestones to hit, and she's grateful to be back for a fifth season at UMD after a shortened 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I couldn't have done it without my teammates, without the coaching staff, without everyone in this program," Klein said. "I'm just very thankful I decided to come to school here, honestly."

Redshirt senior wing Naomi Rogge, senior wing Anneke Linser and fifth-year senior wing Elizabeth Giguere also scored for the Bulldogs. Senior center Gabbie Hughes had two assists, helping set up both of Klein's goals.

UMD senior goaltender Emma Soderberg finished with 39 saves as the Buckeyes attempted a late comeback, cutting the Bulldogs' lead in half with goals by Jennifer Gardiner and Claire DeGeorge. An empty-net goal by Giguere shut that rally down.

Buckeyes senior goaltender Andrea Breandli was pulled midway through the first period after giving up three goals on nine shots. Sophomore Amanda Thiele finished the game, stopping 17 of the 18 shots she faced.

The Buckeyes are back at Amsoil Arena on Saturday to take on the Bulldogs. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:01 p.m.

"You take down the No. 2 team in the country, they're going to be upset, they're going to be mad, they're going to watch a ton of video and they're going to want to bite back," Crowell said. "We have to be ready for that."

1/8: Minnesota Duluth forward Anneke Linser (13) scores a goal against Ohio State goaltender Andrea Braendli (20) on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, at Amsoil Arena in Duluth. Clint Austin / Duluth News Tribune

2/8: Minnesota Duluth players celebrate a first period goal against Ohio State on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, at Amsoil Arena in Duluth. Clint Austin / Duluth News Tribune

3/8: Minnesota Duluth goaltender Emma Soderberg (30) deflects a shot on goal against Ohio State on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, at Amsoil Arena in Duluth. Clint Austin / Duluth News Tribune

4/8: Minnesota Duluth forward Clara Van Wieren (25) controls the puck against Ohio State forward Liz Schepers (21) on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, at Amsoil Arena in Duluth. Clint Austin / Duluth News Tribune

5/8: Minnesota Duluth forward Gabbie Hughes (17) shoots the puck on goal against Ohio State goaltender Amanda Thiele (30) on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, at Amsoil Arena in Duluth. Clint Austin / Duluth News Tribune

6/8: Minnesota Duluth goaltender Emma Soderberg (30) stops a shot on goal against Ohio State on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, at Amsoil Arena in Duluth. Clint Austin / Duluth News Tribune

7/8: Ohio State goaltender Andrea Braendli (20) stops a shot on goal against Minnesota Duluth on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, at Amsoil Arena in Duluth. Clint Austin / Duluth News Tribune

8/8: Minnesota Duluth goaltender Emma Soderberg (30) stops a shot on goal against Ohio State forward Gabby Rosenthal (15) on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, at Amsoil Arena in Duluth. Clint Austin / Duluth News Tribune