Wisconsin's early lead proves too much for a St. Cloud State comeback

Friday, December 7

St. Cloud, Minn.

3:07 p.m.

St. Cloud State

5-14-1, 2-11-0WCHA

Wisconsin

18-1-0, 8-1-0WCHA

WISCONSIN

St. Cloud State

Photo by: Maddie MacFarlane

Wisconsin's early lead proves too much for a St. Cloud State comeback

12/7/2018 6:21:00 PM | Women's Hockey

Box Score

Four goals in the first period puts the game away for #1 Wisconsin

By: Maddie MacFarlane

ST. CLOUD, MINN. – The St. Cloud State University Huskies women's hockey team (5-14-1, 2-11-0 WCHA) could not come back from a deep goal deficit, falling 2-8 to the University of Wisconsin Badgers (18-1-0, 8-1-0 WCHA) on Friday, Dec. 7 at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center.

The Huskies trailed UW by four goals after the first period and were unable to recover in the game's last 40 minutes. Wisconsin goal scorers in the first were Caitlin Schneider, Maddie Rolfes (PP goal), and Presley Norby (2g).

"I thought we were tentative to start," said Huskies' Head Coach Eric Rud. "We made some uncharacteristic mistakes where [the puck] ended up in the back of the net both times; you just can't have those mental lapses against the top team in the country."

Between two Annie Pankowski Wisconsin goals during the second period, SCSU's Hallie Theodosopoulos scored the Huskies' first goal of the game. She was assisted by Jenniina Nylund and Taylor Wemple, and it was a power play goal.

THEODOSOPOULOS! 🚨@SCSUHUSKIES_WHK lights the lamp! #SCSUonFSN pic.twitter.com/i1ZHnwan12
— FOX Sports North (@fsnorth) December 7, 2018

The third period began with a 6-1 Badger lead. UW's Sophie Shirley put another goal to the back of the net nine minutes into the period. St. Cloud's Laura Kluge then scored the Huskies second goal of the game, assisted by Kayla Friesen off of an offensive zone faceoff play.

Take a look at that Kluge goal😁👇 #scsuwhk pic.twitter.com/gO0Izvs0pc
— St. Cloud State WHockey (@SCSUHUSKIES_WHK) December 7, 2018

Wisconsin added one more to the scoresheet before the end of the game to come to a 8-2 final win for the Badgers.

St. Cloud State goaltender Emma Polusny stopped 42 shots in the game; the Badger's Kristen Campbell had 15 saves. Final shots on goal from today's game were SCSU 17, UW 50. St. Cloud went 1-3 on the power play and 0-2 on the penalty kill.

"I thought we had some moments during this game where our players should have some confidence going into tomorrow, and I expect that to be the case," said Rud at the conclusion of today's game

The women's hockey team is back at home in the Brooks Center tomorrow Dec. 8 to take on the Wisconsin Badgers once more at 2:07 p.m.

Skate with the Huskies, sponsored by Wolters Kluwer, will take place at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center on Saturday, Dec. 8 after the conclusion of the men's hockey showdown between St. Cloud State and Omaha. Fans will have an opportunity to skate on the main rink at the HBNHC along with members of the men's and women's ice hockey teams from St. Cloud State University. Fans are encouraged to bring their skates in after the game or rent skates from the pro shop on the night of the event. Skate with the Huskies is a great opportunity to meet your favorite SCSU players, get autographs and take photos along with skating a few laps on the rink at the HBNHC.

Follow the Huskies vs. Badgers:
Watch: Flo Hockey
Listen: kvsc.org
Stats: scsuhuskies.com
Live Game Updates: SCSU Women's Hockey Twitter

For complete ticket information regarding any SCSU home games in 2018-19, please visit www.scsutickets.com or call 1-877-SCSUTIX. For complete ticket information regarding any SCSU home games in 2018-19, please visit www.scsutickets.com or call 1-877-SCSUTIX.