Lady Bulldogs Capture Windjammer Tourney

NSO – NEWS RELEASE

The Bulldogs are the new Windjammer Classic Champions.

Junior forward Emma Yanko made sure the University of Minnesota Duluth would leave Burlington, Vermont with some new hardware after she tipped the game-winner in with just 1:38 remaining in regulation to defeat the University of Vermont 2-1. Yanko’s third goal in three games (and second game-winner in those same games) gave UMD a tournament sweep on the weekend after the Bulldogs doused No. 2 Colgate University Friday night by a score of 4-1.

The Bulldogs, who have won six of their last seven games, struck first at 7:45 into the first period on Naomi Rogge‘s ninth goal of the season.  Rogge, who secured assists for Ashton Bell and Jessica Healey on the tally, has now recorded at least a point in eight of her last nine games — including a goal against the Raiders Friday night.

UMD, who took an uncharacteristic five penalties against the Catamouths, surrendered the game-tying goal just after killing off a Vermont power play goal when Olivia Kilberg banged home a loose puck from the doorstep at 10:25 of the third period.

From there the Bulldogs offense flexed its muscle (UMD outshot Vermont 15-12 in the final period), and a Catamouth penalty at 2:25 remaining in regulation was just what the Bulldogs needed.

With 1:38 remaining in the game, sophomore defenseman Jalyn Elmes‘ shot from the point found Yanko’s, the definition of UMD’s offensive effort currently, and with that, the Bulldogs were champions.

Yanko was named the Windjammer Classic Player of the Tournament, while Yanko, Rogge and goaltender Jessica Convery were all named to the All-Tournament Team.  Convery had 25 saves for UMD Saturday for a combined tournament effort of 49.

The Bulldogs, now 9-8 overall, will step back into Western Collegiate Hockey Association play — and how — when they travel to Madison Wis. next weekend to face the No. 1 University of Wisconsin.  Both Friday and Saturday’s games are set for 7:07 p.m.