Jan. 22, 2005

MADISON, Wis. (uwbadgers) - The No. 4 Wisconsin women's hockey team completed the weekend series vs. North Dakota with a 6-2 win Saturday night at the Kohl Center. The victory sealed a season sweep for the Badgers and set team's regular season record vs. the Sioux at 4-0. Overall this season the Badgers are 18-5-1 and 12-5-1 in Western Collegiate Hockey Association competition. The conference newcomers, North Dakota dropped to 4-15-1 in the WCHA and 7-16-3 overall.

Wisconsin scored two goals in the first period with Sara Bauer starting the action at 7:43, just under a minute into the period's only power-play opportunity. Phoebe Monteleone marked her third goal of the season after firing one past the goalie at 14:56. Credited with the assists were defender Bobbi-Jo Slusar and goaltender Meghan Horras. It was Horras first career assist.

In the second, North Dakota came alive for the first time in over 200 minutes, 203:32 to be exact. UND grabbed an even-strength goal at 3:32 and a power-play goal later at 11:41. Vicki Davis notched the game-winner between the Sioux goals, unassisted at 8:46. Her goal was her second of the season and her second unassisted.

Heading into the third period with just a one-goal lead, Wisconsin pounded in three insurance goals to seal the win. Molly Engstrom scored her eighth power-play goal of the season at 1:07 with help from Sara Bauer. Meaghan Mikkelson and Nikki Burish waited until later in the period to score their goals at 10:14 and 15:20, respectively. Mikkelsen had help from Cyndy Kenyon and Slusar, but Burish went it alone with her fourth unassisted goal of the season.

In goal, besides her assist, Wisconsin's Horras marked 17 saves and the third Sioux netminder to see action in the series, Amber Hasbargen collected 33 saves. Horras now owns an 11-3-1 record and a 1.52 goals-against average.

The Badgers will gear up this week to face No. 1 Minnesota in the teams' second and final series of the regular season. After being shut out in their first meeting, 2-0 on Dec. 4, the Badgers battled the Gophers to a tie on Dec. 5. Wisconsin scored first and led Minnesota until a late goal pushed the game to a draw in overtime. The Saturday-Sunday series will begin at 2:05 p.m. both days at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis.