The UW-Madison women's hockey team is looking to rebound after an upset loss to St. Cloud State this past Saturday. The No. 6 Badgers (1-4-1 Western Collegiate Hockey Association, 5-4-1 overall) head to Erie, Penn. this weekend to face off against Mercyhurst University (2-0, 10-2). The Badgers hope to put an end to Mercyhurst's six-game winning streak. It is the first time the two teams have met since Wisconsin swept Mercyhurst in Madison in 2000.
Despite the loss, UW remains optimistic going into the weekend.
\I think we started off the season pretty well,"" sophomore defender Nicole Uliasz said. ""We just need to continue working as a unit, and keep on improving our goal scoring and hopefully come out with some big wins.""
Sophomore forward Jackie Friesen agreed, but she also stresses the need to work on the little things.
""[We need to do] a lot of passing, a lot of talking, we need to work on that. Not so much individual work, more team play,"" Friesen said.
With three injuries on the Badgers' roster, it has been difficult to adjust, but junior forward Meghan Hunter said she thinks that the team has done a great job of playing despite the loss of teammates this season.
""I think we're adapting well to some injuries and things like that, we're moving people around and people [are] playing different positions and that's working really well,"" Hunter said. ""Working well through adversity, that's always a challenge.""
Sophomore defender Carla MacLeod and senior defender Kerry Weiland have both suffered injuries this season, as well as freshman forward Nikki Burish who was injured Tuesday during practice. Despite the three losses, Head Coach Mark Johnson remains optimistic.
""That gives someone else a chance to step up and contribute,"" Johnson said.
The remainder of the Badgers' season promises to be challenging as well. After the Badgers play Mercyhurst this weekend, they will see more conference play next week against Ohio State. The Badgers will also get another chance at No. 1 and No. 2 ranked Minnesota-Duluth and Minnesota, respectively.
""We had a couple tough series against No 1 and No. 2,"" Hunter said, ""that was hard [but] we're still going strong.""
Uliasz said she also wants another shot at the teams from Minnesota.
""They were both really good games, and the score really didn't show how we played,"" Uliasz said.
Against Mercyhurst, the Badgers are looking forward to the entire team playing better hockey.
""I think we just need to continue working as a unit, and keep on improving our goal scoring, and hopefully come out with some big wins,"" Uliasz said.
With a tough schedule, there will be plenty of opportunities for the Badgers to get big wins. Win or lose, Hunter points out that ""just sticking to the basics and doing the little things right"" is important. It is up to the Badgers to turn those little things into big wins Saturday.
