Junior forward Angie Keseley scored her fourth goal of the season while junior forward Erika Lawler notched her fifth point of the season as the Wisconsin women’s hockey team swept the Robert Morris Colonials 3-0 and 3-1 this weekend at the Kohl Center
Friday night, Wisconsin started the scoring with a goal from Lawler in the first period.
In the second period, the Badgers used a 5-on-3 advantage to go up 2-0 on a goal from senior forward Jinelle Zaugg.
Freshman forward Mallory Deluce finished Wisconsin’s scoring in the third period, taking a feed from Zaugg in the slot and beating Robert Morris junior goalie Brianne McLaughlin.
In goal for Wisconsin, junior Jessie Vetter made 11 saves for her 17th career shutout.
Vetter was chasing former Badger Christine Dufour’s career school shutout record of 18 on Saturday night, but a late goal by Colonials sophomore defenseman Mallory Giambra ended Vetter’s scoreless bid.
For the Badgers, freshman defenseman Malee Windmeier scored her first career goal in the first period to go up 1-0.
Lawler scored later in the first period to put Wisconsin up 2-0.
In the second period, Keseley gave Wisconsin a 3-0 advantage, one-timing a pass from freshman forward Hilary Knight to beat McLaughlin.
Giambra’s third period goal was the first scored against Wisconsin this season, which made it a 3-1 game and ended the scoring.
With the sweep, the Badgers broke the school record for consecutive games unbeaten, which had been held by the men’s basketball program from 1911-1913. Wisconsin’s 30th straight game without a loss also tied New Hampshire’s NCAA women’s hockey record.
The play of Keseley and Lawler has anchored the Wisconsin offense in the first four games. The two have been on the same line since their freshman year and have established a strong chemistry. Keseley, who scored 12 goals last season, has four this season, and Lawler has picked up where she left off from last season’s 38 point sophomore campaign.
“Being able to play with her since the first day I’ve been here has really helped us,” Keseley said.
“I know exactly where [Keseley is] going to be at all times. Sometimes I don’t even look where she’s going to be and I pass it there and she’s there,” Lawler said.
Head coach Mark Johnson feels that their play is vital to the team’s success.
“They’re our go-to type people, so the early success that they have certainly will help their confidence and will help the younger players as far as being role models both on and off the ice,” he said.
Wisconsin, which is now 4-0-0, will host Ohio State next weekend in its conference opener. This will be the Badgers’ first meeting with a top-10 ranked team this season.
