DULUTH – Defending national champion Ohio State ruined what was currently the longest winning-streak in the country, dominating Northeastern in a 3-0 win in Friday afternoon's semifinal game of the NCAA Women's Frozen Four at Amsoil Arena.
Ohio State eases past Northeastern in women's Frozen Four semifinal
The defending champion Buckeyes face the winner of an evening game between Minnesota and Wisconsin.
March 17, 2023 at 10:13PM
The Buckeyes (33-5-2) will face either the Gophers or Wisconsin at 3 p.m. Sunday in the championship game — assuring an all Western Collegiate Hockey Association final.
Ohio State freshman Sloane Matthews scored just more than a minute into the game, snagging a rebound off a shot by Kenzie Hauswirth. Midway through the second period, Makenna Webster scored on a point-blank shot in front of the goal. Hadley Hartmetz followed with a high puck over Huskies goalie Gwyneth Philips' left shoulder late in the same period.
The Huskies (34-3-1), in their sixth straight NCAA tournament, hadn't lost or tied a game since Providence shut them out 3-0 in mid-November.
Ohio State, quick and tenacious, outshot the Huskies 53-15. Buckeyes junior goalie Amanda Thiele got her fourth shutout of the season.
Northeastern had a goal disallowed in the first period. Maureen Murphy crossed the puck over to Chloe Aurard, who tapped it behind Ohio State goalie Gwyneth Philips. It was waved off, following a review, because of a hand pass earlier in the play.
Two offensive linemen from Lakeville, Bryce Benhart and Riley Mahlman, are standouts for Big Ten rivals of Minnesota.
