#6 UMD Women’s Hockey Looks to Snap Four-Game Skid Against #1 Wisconsin

The Bulldogs last topped the Badgers back in December of 2023.

DULUTH, Minn. -It’s a rarity when the UMD women’s hockey team has dropped four straight games.

In the last five years, it’s only happened twice to the Bulldogs. January of last year and January of this year.

Of course, 6th ranked UMD hoping to end that recent trend this upcoming weekend. But, it will be no easy test as they are set to host the top ranked Wisconsin Badgers.

Head Coach Laura Schuler says it’s a big series for her team’s defense as they’ll try to contain a Badger squad that is first in goals and power play percentage.

“They’re fast and they are very skilled. Again our defensive game is going to be really important, our reloads in the offensive zone is going to be really important. We have to stay above them. But at the same time, we have to make sure we capitalize when we turn pucks over and look to attack quickly. They are very offensive minded and very focused on getting up the ice, so there’s going to be chances off our forecheck,” said Schuler.

This upcoming series will be the 2nd meeting between the two squads this season.

Wisconsin ended up taking both games on their home ice back in October, 5 to 1 and 7 to 3.

Forward Clara Van Wieren says a lot has changed since that first series with the Badgers.

“I don’t think we were really fully comfortable in our spots at that point. We were just getting into our power play and learning each other on the power play. We were just getting into our PK pairs. We were just getting into our lines, hadn’t really figured out line chemistry at that point. I think now that we all feel more comfortable, like we all know our roles, we’re able to fully dive into that,” added Van Wieren.

UMD will try for their first win against Wisconsin since December of 2023 this Friday at 6 PM.