March 4, 2004

FINDLAY, Ohio - The Ohio State women's hockey team defeated Findlay, 4-1, Thursday night at the Clauss Ice Arena in Findlay, Ohio. With the non-conference win the Buckeyes improve to 15-13-3 overall and remain 10-12-2 in the WCHA. Findlay drops to 15-14-4 overall in their final home game of the year.

Ohio State closes out regular season action against Findlay at 2:05 p.m. Saturday at the OSU Ice Rink in Columbus, Ohio. The Buckeyes and Oilers will battle for the fourth and final Ohio Cup title. OSU has won the Ohio Cup the last three seasons.

In the first period, Ohio State put two goals on the board on just two shots on goal. Junior captain Meaghan Mulvaney (Sylvania, Ohio) scored the Buckeyes' first goal at the 9:54 mark. Mulvaney scored on a blocked shot from freshman Tessa Bonhomme (Sudbury, Ontario); sophomore Jana Harrigan (Burlington, Ontario) also assisted on the play. OSU's second goal was scored by Harrigan, her 13th goal of the season on a breakaway at 14:34 with Mulvaney assisting.

The Buckeyes continued their offensive attack, scoring two additional goals in the second period. Senior Melissa Pirie (Islington, Ontario) posted her first goal of the season, as she tipped in the puck at 11:01. Junior Jaclyn Haines (Rossland, British Columbia) and freshman Katie Maroney (La Porte, Ind.) assisted the senior forward's 10th career goal. OSU's fourth goal of the game came late in the period when senior Erin O'Grady (London, Ontario) scored off a rebounded shot attempt by Emma Laaksonen (Espoo, Finland). Both Laaksonen and Amber Bowen (Innisfil, Ontario) were awarded the assist.

Despite not scoring in the third period, Ohio State tallied 13 shots to Findlay's 11. UF's Denelle Maguet tallied Findlay's only score of the game at the 5:09 mark.

Junior goalie Melissa Glaser recorded 27 saves on 28 Oiler shots. Jessica Moffat stopped 26-of-30 Buckeye chances.

Ohio State was 1-for-4 on the power play, while the Buckeyes held Findlay scoreless on all six power play chances.

Notes -
- Senior Melissa Pirie scored her first goal this season and her 10th career goal against the Oilers.
- With her assist, senior Emma Laaksonen moved within one point of the OSU career record for career points (98). Laaksonen and junior Jeni Creary are now tied with 97 career points. Shana Frost is OSU's all-time leader in career points.
- With the win, Ohio State improved its record to 6-2-0 over Findlay, marking its sixth consecutive victory over the Oilers.

                         Hockey Game Box Score (Final)
                       2003-04 OHIO STATE WOMEN'S HOCKEY
             Ohio State vs Findlay (Mar 04, 2004 at Findlay, Ohio)

 Ohio State (15-13-3, 10-12-2) vs. Findlay (15-14-4, 4-6-2)
 Date: Mar 04, 2004  Location: Findlay, Ohio         Arena: Clauss Ice Arena
 Attendance:72   Start time:7:05 pm   End time:9:00 pm   Total time:1:55

 Goals by Period       1  2  3  Tot
 ----------------------------------
 Ohio State..........  2  2  0 -  4
 Findlay.............  0  0  1 -  1

   1st period - 1, OSU, Meaghan Mulvaney/10 (Tessa Bonhomme/14, Jana
Harrigan/12) 9:54 (pp). 2, OSU, Jana Harrigan/13 (Meaghan Mulvaney/12)
14:34. Penalties - Jana Harrigan, OSU (hr) 6:51; CLARKSON, Hailey, UF
(hooking) 8:46; Jaclyn Haines, OSU (tripping) 10:47.
   2nd period - 3, OSU, Melissa Pirie/1 (Jaclyn Haines/4, Katie
Maroney/2) 11:01. 4, OSU, Erin O'Grady/9 (Emma Laaksonen/14, Amber
Bowman/11) 18:38. Penalties - JESSOP, Jenn, UF (charging) 8:50;
Meaghan Mulvaney, OSU (holding) 15:41; Katie Maroney, OSU (hooking)
19:25.
   3rd period - 5, UF, MAGUET, Denelle/12 5:09. Penalties - MONK,
Laura, UF (tripping) :58; Jeanne Chapple, OSU (tripping) 6:51; Emma
Laaksonen, OSU (cross-checking) 7:40; FOORD, Hilary, UF (interference)
9:47.
   Shots on goal - OSU 2-15-13 30; UF 8-9-11 28.
   Power plays - OSU 1 of 4; UF 0 of 6.
   Penalties - OSU 6 (12 min); UF 4 (8 min).
   Goalies - OSU, Melissa Glaser (60:00 minutes, 28 shots-27 saves);
UF, MOFFAT, Jessica (60:00, 30-26).  A-72  T-1:55
 Three stars: 1. Melissa Glaser    2. Jana Harrigan    3. MAGUET, Denelle
 Referee:Brian Frerichs  Linesman:Mike Gallaher; Mark Thomas