No. 1 Wisconsin Badgers women’s hockey (4-0-0, 0-0-0 Big Ten) secured their first home sweep of the season this past weekend, shutting out the Maine Black Bears (0-4-0, 0-0-0 American East Conference).
The Badgers know the standard they have to hold and that drove the powerful force they showed Oct. 3 and Oct. 4 on finally returning home to the La Bahn Arena.
The reigning eight-time national champions have no intent of backing down from another historical season. The Badgers started the season hot — going 4-0 in their first four games.
GAME ONE:
The first period started slow for the Badgers, junior goalie Ava McNaughton faced shot after shot from the Black Bears, but held the goal strongly deflecting 11 shots on goal from Maine.
But this feat went both ways, Black Bear sophomore goalie Kiia Lahtinen showed her skills in goal, deflecting 19 shots on goal from the Badgers. Despite strong efforts from both teams, the first period of the game ended scoreless.
The Badgers came out with a bang in the goal in the sixth minute of play in the second period by senior forward Laila Edwards assisted by sophomore forward Maggie Scannell.
But the Badgers weren’t finished yet. Shortly after Edwards’ goal, the intensity was high. A tenth minute goal by junior forward Cassie Hall, assisted by senior forward Kirsten Simms set Wisconsin ahead 2-0 against the Black Bears.
Finally, the third period rolls around and the Badgers show no signs of backing down. Already leading 2-0, the intensity only got higher for Wisconsin.
Wisconsin opened up the third period with a bang, with a first minute goal by freshman forward Adéla Šapovalivová, with assists from Simms and fifth-year forward Lacey Eden.
But the Badgers didn’t let down. In the eight minute, senior defensive player Vivian Jungels put one in the net with assists from Eden and Šapovalivová, putting the Badgers ahead 4-0. But, once again, Wisconsin wasn’t done.
Finally, a 14th minute goal by Edwards with assists from Simms and fifth-year forward Marianne Picard, to set the Badgers over Maine, winning 5-0.
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GAME TWO:
After Wisconsin’s first win against Maine, they knew the fight wasn’t over yet. Unlike the first game, Wisconsin knew the power they had.
Beginning the first period, both goalies worked hard keeping the other team out of the net. But Maine couldn’t keep up with the power of Wisconsin. At the ninth minute of play the Badgers exploded after a quick goal by senior defensive player Caroline Harvey, assisted by Jungels and Hall to make the score 1-0.
After very minimal action in the second half of the first period, the Badger wrapped up leading 1-0 to advance to the second period of play.
Heading into the second period, the Badgers remained on top, but this time the energy was unmatched.
Four minutes into the second period, the Badgers showed their dominance on the ice with a goal from junior forward Kelly Gorbatenko, assisted by Edwards in the fourth minute.
Shortly afterwards, the Badgers dominated the net once again with a goal from junior defensive play Laney Potter, assisted by Edwards and Picard in the sixth minute of play, setting the score at 3-0.
But Wisconsin wasn’t done in the second period yet, the Badgers closed out the second period of play with a goal in the tenth minute of play by Simms, assisted by Picard.
In the third period, Wisconsin did what they know best — scoring goals. The Badgers placed their final goal of the game in the 11th minute of play. This goal was scored by Potter assisted by Gorbatenko and junior defensive player Ava Murphy, ending the game the classic Wisconsin way.
The Badger shutout the Black Bears 10-0 for the weekend, earning their second straight sweep of the 2025-2026 season.
The Badgers are set to face the University of Minnesota-Duluth Oct. 11 and 12 at the La Bahn Arena. The Badgers have faced Minnesota Duluth 117 times, securing a winning record of 65-37-15.