COLUMBUS, Ohio – The No. 1 Ohio State women’s hockey team earned a series sweep of St. Cloud State with a 6-2 win Saturday afternoon at the OSU Ice Rink. After unveiling the 2022 national championship banner pregame, the Buckeyes (4-0-0, 4-0-0 WCHA) continued their success into the new season as the program earned its 14th straight win.
How it Happened
Paetyn Levis was the first to score for the Buckeyes on Saturday, putting Ohio State on the board at 4:22 in the first period. Riley Brengman initially took a shot that was saved by Husky goaltender Sanni Ahola. Emma Maltais knocked the puck out of the scrum in front of the St. Cloud State goal to Levis who was rushing the net. Her original shot went wide, but she collected the puck and scored on the second try.
With just 1:50 left in the period, Gabby Rosenthal found herself in a similar scoring situation Levis was in earlier. From behind the goal line, Rosenthal sent the puck into goalie crease. In the scramble for possession, the puck crossed into the goal to give Ohio State a 2-0 lead at the first intermission.
St. Cloud State was the first to tally a goal in the second period, but the Buckeyes responded with four straight goals of their own.
Sloane Matthews tallied her second goal in as many games at 4:16 into the second frame to regain the Buckeyes’ two-goal lead. Makenna Webster, who made her Ohio State debut in the game, tallied the assist on the goal.
The Buckeye newcomers kept the rally alive with Sydney Morrow scoring her first collegiate goal at 9:10 into the second period. The defenseman came in from the blue line to send a shot past Ahola to give Ohio State the 4-1 advantage.
Sophie Jaques added the team’s third goal of the period, scoring at 15:38. The power play goal was assisted by Madison Bizal and Levis.
In the final frame, Jaques tallied her second power play goal of the day at 8:48. She was again assisted by Paetyn Levis and Madison Bizal to push the Buckeyes ahead 6-1.
The Huskies added another goal with 5:06 to play, but that would be the last goal allowed by Ohio State.
Amanda Thiele earned the win in net for Ohio State on Saturday, making 13 saves in the contest.
Game Notes
- The Buckeyes celebrated the 2022 national championship season prior to Saturday’s game. The players from the 2021-22 season, including alumni Emily Curlett, Liz Schepers and Lexi Templeman, were presented with conference and national championship rings. The national championship banner was then dropped from the rafters of the OSU Ice Rink.
- Makenna Webster skated in her first game for the Buckeyes on Saturday. While it’s not the first time the junior transfer has put on the Scarlet and Gray, as she is also a member of the Ohio State field hockey program, it was the first time she took the ice for the women’s hockey team. She finished the day with an assist.
- Along with Webster, Sydney Morrow tallied her first point as a Buckeye, scoring the team’s fourth goal of the day.
- All three power play goals this season belong to graduate defenseman Sophie Jaques. She scored the Buckeyes’ first PPG of the season in game one against St. Cloud State and added another two on Saturday.
- Gabby Rosenthal has extended her goal streak to four games. The graduate forward tallied the Buckeyes’ second goal of the game.
- Amanda Thiele’s 13 saves in Saturday’s game give her 550 for her career. Her record improves to 22-3-0 in three seasons.
- Sloane Matthews has now recorded two game-winning goals on the year, both of which were earned this weekend against St. Cloud State.
- Paetyn Levis led the team with four points in the game. She is second on the team this season in assists (4) and points (6).
Statistically Speaking
Shots: Ohio State 76, St. Cloud State 30
Saves: St. Cloud State (Ahola) 25, St. Cloud State (Chobak) 12, Ohio State (Thiele) 12
Power Play: St. Cloud State 2-2, Ohio State 2-3
Faceoffs: Ohio State 37, St. Cloud State 18
Ohio State Scoring: Levis (1-3-4), Jaques (2-0-2), Bizal (0-2-2), Matthews (1-0-1), Morrow (1-0-1), Rosenthal (1-0-1), Gardiner (0-1-1), Hartmetz (0-1-1), Hauswirth (0-1-1), Maltais (0-1-1), Webster (0-1-1)
Up Next
Ohio State is back on the road next weekend to meet Bemidji State in Bemidji, Minn. The Buckeyes and Beavers face off at 4 p.m. ET Saturday and 3 p.m. ET Sunday.
#GoBucks