Earlier this week, freshman forward Sophie Shirley was named the National Third Star and the WCHA Rookie of the Week after scoring three goals in two games against Princeton last weekend. Shirley scored both game winners in the series to lead Wisconsin to a sweep and, with Clarkson’s loss, the No. 1 ranking in the country.
“I’m super proud of Shirley,” senior forward Sam Cogan said. “She’s a very smart player. And she’s able to put the puck in the net, which is huge.”
The freshman from Saskatoon has sparked a second line with Cogan and junior forward Abby Roque, and their scoring has kept the Badgers (2-0-0 WCHA, 8-0-0 overall) rolling in the absence of senior forward Emily Clark. Their chemistry and skill will be tested this weekend as they take on No. 3 Minnesota (4-1-1, 6-1-1) this weekend at LaBahn Arena.
“Shirley has been affecting the team in a great way,” junior forward Abby Roque said. “Obviously when you have new people coming into the team, you hope they can have an immediate affect, and I think she has. She’s really brought a level of speed and skill into the game that has been helping us to be successful.”
But while she’s received most of the accolades, Shirley attributes her achievements and awards to the impact her fellow linemates have had on her development.
“Playing with Sam and Abby has been really cool,” Shirley said. “They are two players who have a lot of experience, and they’ve taken me under their wing. It’s really nice to learn from them along the way.”
Roque and Cogan, linemates with Shirley, have noticed the chemistry in their line, which has helped all three forwards get in good positions for rebounds and passes to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
“I think that whole line is clicking very well. I think we are all similar in certain ways, but also have our differences,” Cogan said. “If you’re able to read your linemates and figure out their style and how you can be in a position they’re not and support them, then it works.”
While the second line has been meshing well together, the Badgers are always looking forward to the next game and focusing on how they can improve.
“Our neutral zone has been a big focus for us this week,” Shirley said. “We’re making sure we’re controlling pucks throughout the neutral zone, having those fast transitions, angling to get the puck, and getting on offense as quick as we can.”
Controlling play in the neutral zone and generating quick and clean offensive zone entries will be important as the Badgers take on their heated rivals to the west. Minnesota boasts one of the few defenses that can match Wisconsin’s stingy ways — the Gophers allow just 1.50 goals per game, the best of any opponent the Badgers have faced this year.
“We don’t wanna lose to the Gophers, the Gophers don’t wanna lose to us,” Roque said. “It’s the biggest rivalry in women’s hockey, in my opinion. The Gophers are really hard opponents so I’m excited to see what happens.”
Puck drop is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday at Labahn Arena, followed by a 2 p.m. rematch on Sunday.
