Zach Anderson

The University of Minnesota-Duluth defeated the Jackrabbit Women’s Hockey team 6-2 on Feb. 3. Duluth’s three goals in the third period put the game out of reach for the Jackrabbits.

UMD’s Jaime Sekenski scored a third period goal at the 6:21 mark, followed by teammate Kirie Marshall’s two goals, one with 1:52 left and another with 27.4 seconds to play.

It was a very defensive game with neither team finding a way to score in the first quarter. Each team managed 10 shots on the goal in the first period, but none found the net for a score.

UMD started the scoring by way of a Jodi Jabas goal at the 9:23 mark of the second period. SDSU answered back with 5:28 remaining in the second period on a Natalie Domagala goal that tied the game 1-1.

“We always have really competitive games with UMD. I wouldn’t say they are our top rival, but we always play pretty good games with them,” SDSU head coach Dallas Shearer said.

SDSU managed to keep the game close despite being out-shot 18-7 in the second period, but just when it looked like the score would be tied going into the third period, UMD’s Jen Gerard scored a goal with 55.0 seconds remaining. UMD would not look back as its lead would just extend for the remainder of the game.

Gerard scored early in the third period to push the lead to 3-1 for UMD. Sekenski’s goal put the Bulldogs up 4-1.

A Christy Wey goal for the Jacks with three minutes remaining in the third period cut the UMD lead to 4-2. The Jacks would not score again as the Bulldogs defense was able to shut the Jacks offense down. Two more goals by Marshall finished off a strong third period for UMD.

“UMD has a lot more depth than us; they play well, they shoot well, they pass well. Everybody is really solid, ” Shearer said. “We didn’t get very many bounces today. It’s hard to beat good teams when you don’t get the bounces.”

For the Jacks, Domagala and Wey scored one goal each; both were unassisted. Brigitte Norby allowed six goals on 39 shots. With the loss, the Jackrabbits moved to 8-6 on the season.

Gerard and Marshall each had two goals for UMD. Sekenski and Jabas both added one goal each for the Bulldogs. Julie Brandt allowed two goals on 25 shots. The Bulldogs are now 11-3-1 following the win over the Jacks.

Next weekend the Jacks are at home against Minot State Feb. 9 at 6 p.m. and 11 a.m. on Feb. 10.