Minn. takes 2 form OSU

Despite a never give up attitude the Ohio State women’s hockey team lost both games this weekend to fifth ranked Minnesota.

On Friday Ohio State scored 21 seconds into the game and held leads at two different times before the Gophers scored three unanswered goals in the third period to win 4-2.

Melissa Feste and Ally Tarr scored for Ohio State while Natalie Spooner picked up two assists. Tarr also got an assist on Feste’s goal.

Saturday the Buckeyes got behind the eight ball early and were never able to catch up as Minnesota skated away with an 8-1 win and a series sweep.

Spooner got Ohio State’s only goal with assists going to Hokey Langan and Laura McIntosh.

Langan returned to the lineup on Saturday after missing the last two games with an ankle injury.

Goalie Lisa Steffes was pulled for the first time in her career being replaced by fellow freshman Loren Carrier.

Carrier, seeing the first action of her young career, gave up two goals on 15 shots.

Minnesota also pulled their starting goalie, Noora Raty, after the second period giving backup Jenny Lura some playing time in the third.

Even though they were down early OSU never gave up Saturday afternoon playing perhaps their best hockey of the game in the third period.

Ohio State is now 12-12-2 (6-12-2-2 WCHA) on the season, while Minnesota is 18-6-1 (13-6-1-1 WCHA).

The series featured the last two WCHA Rookies of the Week in Ohio State’s Lisa Steffes and Minnesota’s Amanda Kessel.

Next weekend the Buckeyes travel to St. Cloud State before returning home for the final four home games of the season.