ANN ARBOR, MI – The Division I Michigan State University women’s hockey team had a single game against the University of Michigan last weekend in enemy territory. The Spartans were victorious as they outscored Michigan by twelve goals in a 14-2 win.
With six goals in the first period, the green and white shot off like a rocket and never looked back. Sophomore Kenzie D’Ascenzo put in four goals in the big win, her hat trick taking place in period one. Sophomore Madison Baker would put in goal two from the top of the circles to give the Spartans a two goal lead. Freshman Amber Danules would send an apple over to senior Julia Lutz for Spartan goal number three before D’Ascenzo would strike for her second of the game after a pass from senior Maddie Wolsmann down low. D’Ascenzo would tally her sixth goal of the season after receiving another pass from Wolsmann to make it 5-0 over Michigan. Senior Allison Lariviere would skate end to end and finish with a goal to end the first period of scoring. A fourth goal in under 30 minutes, D’Ascenzo’s final goal of the game just three minutes into second period play. Sophomore Lauren Kramer would send a shot on net that Lariviere would tip to find its home in the net behind the Wolverine goaltender. Junior Blair Dzierwa would find the ninth Michigan State goal as Wolsmann picked up her fifth assist of the game. The Spartans found themselves on the power play where sophomore Natalia Asimakis would tally her first goal of the game with a shot from the slot. D’Ascenzo would grab point number five with an assist on the Asimakis goal. The Wolverines would finally get one behind Spartan goaltender freshman Savina Osann to break the shutout midway through the second period to bring the green and white’s lead to just nine goals. Wolsmann attacked back three minutes later as she pounced on a loose puck in front of the Michigan netminder to get the eleventh
Michigan State goal. Junior Morgan Graham and D’Ascenzo with the assists on Wolsmann’s first goal of the game. Two minutes into the third period and the game turns to a 12-1 game as Graham finds the back of the net for her second point of the night. Baker would add an assist to her goal from period one with the apple on Graham’s goal. Lutz would tack on another goal before Wolsmann would get the final Spartan goal of the game. Senior Kelsey Jaeckle and D’Ascenzo recorded the assists on the final two goals. Michigan would grab their second goal of the game with 15 seconds remaining at Yost Arena. Osann picked up 23 saves on 25 shots faced while in net for her sixth win of the season. Michigan State fired off 38 total shots on the Wolverine goaltender.
Saturday’s third star of the game goes to Graham (1g, 3a), second star belongs to Wolsmann (2g, 5a), and first star is awarded to D’Ascenzo (4g, 3a).
Saturday’s rematch was cancelled due to bad roads from a snowstorm, and currently the game is trying to be rescheduled. In the meantime the Spartans look toward this weekend with Robert Morris-Illinois coming to East Lansing Saturday, January 25 and Sunday, January 26. Puck drops set for 6:20 pm on Saturday (at Suburban Ice East Lansing), and 11:05am on Sunday at Munn Ice Arena.
Author: Mackenzie McMahon, Communications Manager
Photos: Katie Smith, Graphic Design Assistant