ORONO, Maine - For the first time in over 21 years, the University of Maine women's ice hockey team will host the No. 1 ranked Wisconsin Badgers for two games at Alfond Arena on Nov. 29/30.
"It is such a unique opportunity for us to have the #1 team in women's hockey in the building. Our group continues to grow and get better every day. I'm looking forward to this experience for them. We're looking forward to a special weekend," said Head Coach
Molly Engstrom on the #1 Wisconsin Badgers coming to Maine for the first time since 2003, when she played for Wisconsin.
Game 16: Maine vs #1 Wisconsin
Friday, November 29 | ESPN+ | TSN+
Game 17: Maine vs #1 Wisconsin
Saturday, November 30 | ESPN+
Black Bears' Last Time Out:
- Maine defeated the Vermont Catamounts on Sunday, 3-1, grabbing necessary Hockey East points.
- Three different goal scorers - Elise Morphy (PP), Adriana van de Leest (GWG) and Mikayla Boarder - contributed to Maine's success.
- After assisting Morphy's and van de Leest's goals in Sunday's win, Alyssa Wruble leads the team in points with seven.
- Freshman goaltender Kiia Lahtinen backstopped the Black Bears making 22 saves on 23 shots faced. Sunday accounted for Lahtinen's 11th straight start, as she holds a .899 save percentage.
Previous Matchups with Wisconsin
- Maine has only faced the Badgers in a single series back in October of 2003 at Alfond Arena.
- Wisconsin stole both games from the Black Bears, winning 5-4 and 6-1.
- Head Coach Molly Engstrom was a junior at the time, as she tallied two assists in the two games played against Maine.
Scouting the Badgers
- The seven-time national champions have been ranked #1 for the last 11 weeks, as they hold a 15-1-0 record this season. Their only loss this season came from #2 Ohio State.
- Wisconsin's PK sits at 91.7%, third nationally, while their PP sits at 34.8%, fourth nationally.
- Six Badgers have over 20 points this season, with graduate student Casey O'Brien leading the way with 35 (10g, 25a).
- Following O'Brien is Laila Edward (14g, 14), Caroline Harvey (8g, 19a), Lacey Eden (13g, 11), Cassie Hall (11g, 11a) and Kirsten Simms (7g, 15a).
- Goaldtender Ava McNaughton has started in all 16 games so far this season, holding a 1.14 goals-against average and .949 save percentage.
Tid Bits & Ties to Wisconsin
Molly Engstrom still holds the following awards in the Badgers' Record Book:
- Ninth most powerplay goals in a career...20
- Fourth most powerplay goals in single season...11
- Third most goals scored by a defender in one season...13
- Seventh most points scored by a defender during career...28-57-85
- Engstrom is the only player in school history to be honored as the WCHA Defensive Player of the Year twice in their Wisconsin career… (2004, 2005)
- Molly Engstrom played for Head Coach Mark Johnson for three years at Wisconsin, as well as on Team USA at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver where she earned the 'Best Defenseman' award.
Looking Ahead
- Maine hosts Boston University and UConn next week for a game apiece at Alfond Arena on Dec. 6/7, respectively.
- To round out 2024, Maine will face Merrimack College at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland, ME on Dec. 14. Game time is set for 6:00 pm .
-UMaine-
