NCAA Week 3 preview: HE’s Eagles feeling the pressure early

Each week one of our featured writers will select important matchups to preview for the weekend’s upcoming games. These breakdowns will give women’s college hockey fans an idea of the hottest storylines heading into the games.

John Mazza sets us up with Week 3:

Ohio State vs. No. 1 Wisconsin, Fri 10/7 and Sat 10/8 at Wisconsin

Ohio State started the season with two wins over RPI giving up only 1 goal in 6 periods (4-1 and 2-0).

• Jincy Dunne (O'Fallon, MO), a member of the US National Team, made her NCAA debut with a goal in her first game and an assist in her second. OSU hopes the top recruit will be able to maintain this momentum when facing the No. 1 team in the country.
• After making 34 saves in her first game back after redshirting, Kassidy Sauve (Whitby, ON) made 33 saves to shutout the Engineers.
• Though they had last week off, Wisconsin opened their season against St. Cloud State on 9/23 and 9/24, sweeping the Huskies taking the games 6-0 and 4-2.
• Patty Kazmaier finalist Ann-Renée Desbiens (La Malbaie, QC) started her season with a shutout, after stopping all 16 shots from St. Cloud.
• After being down most of the game, sophomore Sam Cogan (Ottawa, ON) scored two goals in the last 5 minutes to push the Badgers to a 4-2 victory./

Maine vs. No. 6 Boston College, Sat 10/8 and Sun 10/9 at Boston College

• Last weekend Maine dropped both games against Quinnipiac, falling 5-4 and 3-0 to the Bobcats.
• Senior Morgan Sakundiak (Calgary, AB) scored 2 goals in 2 minutes during the Black Bear’s third period rally, but fell just short to the Bobcats.
• Boston College had a rough start to the season. After tying Minnesota-Duluth 3-3 in their first game, the Eagles fell 5-2 in the second game of the series, ending their hopes of another undefeated regular season.
• Senior Andie Anastos (Farmington Hills, MI) did not return to the game after the first intermission after receiving a hit in the first period. As the team’s leading career scorer, her absence will not go unnoticed on the ice.
• Katie Burt (Lynn, MA) had an uncharacteristic game in the Saturday lost. Facing only 21 shots, the senior made 16 saves before being replaced by junior Gabri Switaj (Kent, OH) after the second intermission./

Merrimack vs No. 7 Colgate, Fri 10/7 and Sat 10/8 at Colgate

• Merrimack split last week’s series against St. Cloud State, falling 4-2 in the first game but winning 4-1 in the second.
• Katelyn Rae (Courtice, ON) scored the program’s first-ever hat trick to lead the Warriors to victory. For her efforts, Rae was named Hockey East Player of the Week.
• On Saturday, freshman Mikyla Grant-Mentis (Brampton, ON) picked up assists on both of Merrimack’s power play goals, earning her first assist and first multi-point night of her NCAA career.
• In their first series in the Class of 1965 Arena, Colgate swept the UNH, 4-2 on Saturday and 3-1 on Sunday.
• On Sunday, sophomore netminder Julia Vandyk (Cambridge, ON) was solid between the pipes, making 33 saves on 34 shots. This was her second-highest saves she has recorded in her career. /

St. Lawrence vs. No. 4 Clarkson, Fri 10/7 and Sat 10/8 at Clarkson

• St. Lawrence started their season strong, beating the Northeastern Huskies on both Friday and Saturday.
• Forward Brooke Webster (Aurora, ON) opened her senior season strong, recording her first career hat trick in the Saint’s 5-0 rout of the Huskies on Friday.
• With 18 seconds left in Saturday’s game, junior Hannah Miller (North Vancouver, BC) scored her second goal of the game allowing St. Lawrence to complete the sweep and upsetting the then No. 9 Huskies.
• In their first meeting with Penn State, Clarkson got their first wins under their belt.
• Junior captain Savannah Harmon (Downers Grove, IL) picked up assists on both of the Golden Knight’s power play goals on Friday night. /

Northeastern vs. Lindenwood, Fri 10/7 and Sat 10/8 at Lindenwood

• Northeastern is hoping to get back into the national rankings after losing two games to St. Lawrence last weekend.
• Sophomore goaltender Brittany Bugalski (Boynton Beach, FL) was solid in net on Friday, making 30 saves. Despite her efforts, the Huskies still fell 5-0.
• Bailey Coyne, sister of former Huskie and Patty Kaz winner Kendall Coyne, had her first multi-point night of her career, posting 2 assist in the late-game loss on Saturday.
• Lindenwood started the season playing defending National Champions No. 2 Minnesota. The Lady Lions lost both games in the series, falling 3-0 and 6-2.
• A solid defense, led by netminder Jolene deBruyn (Grande Prarie, AB), held the Golden Gophers off the scoreboard during the first period on Friday’s game. deBruyn made a total of 27 saves during the loss. /