Freshman defenseman Michelle Wanserski speeds to beat CSU to the puck during Thursday's game in the CU Recreation Center. The Buffs beat the Rams 9-0. (CU Independent/Alexandra Lehnert)
Lizzie Stoll is a sophomore. Her year was incorrectly mentioned in the original version. We regret the error. 1/30/10; 1:09
Domination.
The Colorado Buffaloes women’s club hockey team commanded the ice in their third meeting against the Colorado State Rams, winning 9-0 Thursday at the Rec Center.
Senior forward Ashley Abrams said the team was successful due to a high-powered offense. They fired 48 shots on net while the Rams finished with 14.
“We just kept the puck in their zone the whole time and played amazing defense,” Abrams said.
The defense also played a major role in keeping the Rams scoreless.
“I think we just won most of the races to the puck and really just worked hard,” sophomore forward Kaitlyn Gherity said. “We battled in both their zone and our zone, and just beat them to the puck.”
They certainly beat the Rams to the net.
In the first period, freshman defenseman Kathryn Brewer struck first with a goal at 11:53. Sophomore forward Lindsey Maier was able to swoop in and score next with 4:46 left in the period.
“It was a good start to the tournament, and it gave me some confidence,” Maier said.
Another goal was made at 2:44, this time from freshman defenseman Michelle Wanserski, with Gherity getting the assist. Abrams scored her second of the night with 37 seconds remaining in the stanza to give CU the 4-0 lead.
In the second period, there was just one goal scored, coming from freshman forward Brit Schneiders at 13:43.
Gherity said communication was the key to the Buffs offense.
“I think we were working really well together, connecting and keeping our heads up and just really communicating so that we could make the right passes,” Gherity said.
The third period had four more goals, a second one by Wanserski, assisted by sophomore forward Lizzie Stoll and sophomore forward Amanda Wilson at 16:50. Then, Abrams scored her hat trick goal at 12:40. Later, freshman forward Stephanie Dubin received a nice pass that led to her goal at 11:18, and junior forward Miranda Shubert scored the final goal of the game 15 seconds later.
Maier said there were certain things the Buffs were trying to do to be successful against their in-state rival.
“We just try to keep our feet moving, make crisp passes, and angle the body a lot,” Maier said.
The victory for CU is its third of the season over CSU and Abrams said she enjoyed beating the Rams again.
“It felt good,” Abrams said. “It’s a fun rivalry.”
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Kayla Cornett at kayla.cornett@colorado.edu.
