Wausau Pilot & Review via UW News Service

MADISON, Wis. – The No. 2 Wisconsin women’s hockey team advanced to the 2024 NCAA Women’s Frozen Four after earning a 4-0 triumph over St. Lawrence on Saturday afternoon in a NCAA Regional Final at LaBahn Arena. 

Laila Edwards tallied a pair of goals, while Casey O’Brien and Sarah Wozniewicz each added a score as the Badgers (34-5-0) shut out the Saints (28-11-0) to earn their 15th trip to the NCAA Women’s Frozen Four, which will take place March 22 and 24 at the Whittemore Center Arena in Durham, New Hampshire. 

Just 16 seconds into the game, O’Brien found the back of the net after being given a St. Lawrence turnover. 

The Badgers dominated action in the second period, outshooting SLU 21-7, but were unable to double the lead. 

Wozniewicz doubled the lead early in the third period, tipping in a shot from Laney Potter to give UW a 2-0 advantage. 

Halfway through the final slate, Edwards lifted a backhanded shot over the St. Lawrence netminder to make it a 3-0 game, before grabbing her second score of the game just three minutes later.

Ava McNaughton stopped 25 of the shots she faced for her 19th win and fifth shutout of the season. 

Notes of the Game
– Casey O’Brien’s goal scored 16 seconds into Saturday’s game marks the fifth fastest goal to start an NCAA tournament game. 
– Kirsten Simms posted three assists, giving her 74 points this season. She is tied for eighth in school history with UW legend Daryl Watts. 
– The Badgers advanced to their 15th NCAA Frozen Four, which is tied for the most in NCAA history with Border Battle rival Minnesota. 
– Thanks to her two goals in the third period, Laila Edwards became the fifth Badger this season to tally 20 goals. 
-The Badgers have not given up a goal in 302:53 minutes in NCAA tournament games played at home, which dates all the way back to the 2014-2015 season. 

Straight from the Rink
Head Coach Mark Johnson
On earning a trip back to the Frozen Four:
“Like I told the team after the game, they earned it. They put themselves in a position to host this game, and we had a great turnout from our fans that we’ve had all season. I say we got one more game. We have the opportunity to play another game. I think that’s the most exciting part about today’s victory – the season goes on.”

On Ava McNaughton’s performance:
“This is her third playoff game from the standpoint of the two playoff games we played in Minneapolis. In the first maybe five, six, eight minutes of it, she got quick experience and had a disallowed goal and a couple goals scored on her. From that point on, she settled down, and today she was comfortable. She seemed comfortable for the entire 60 minutes. She played well, and she’s given us a chance to win all of her games this season. That’s all you can ask for in a goaltender.”

Senior Casey O’Brien
On Wisconsin playing tough throughout the whole 60 minutes:
“It was really special. I think it’s easy after a goal so early to get really high. But I think all of us did a good job of just kind of staying level. Our whole thing is never too high, never too low. Just keep the same mindset. It was nice to celebrate, but we still had 59 minutes left in that game, so we try not to get too caught up in the celebration there.”

On her early goal:
“They kind of sent it right by me. I immediately turned my head and I saw it was Laila (Edwrds) and she’s got such a great stick. She’s got such a long reach and so I figured that she was going to make that play. I stopped in my tracks and (Kirsten) Simms got it, and made a nice little chip pass to me. I was alone with the goalie and I thought, ‘all right, five holes my move might as well try it.’ Luckily it worked out.”

Freshman Ava McNaughton
On shutting out St. Lawrence:
“I think it’s definitely great to always keep your team in the game. Obviously, it was a one-goal game for a really long time as we were able to score one early, but it was honestly just trying to keep the team in the game. We were able to keep it going until we were able to score a few more. It’s a lot of hard work in front of me that makes that happen. So, definitely exciting for me and for everyone else as well.”

Sophomore Laila Edwards
On keeping a tough mentality no matter the opponent:
“We didn’t take this moment for granted, we didn’t take this opponent lightly. We came in with the mindset that we’re trying to continue a legacy here, make another frozen four and get another national championship. I thought we did a great job of doing the little things that lead to championships. We executed and we were rewarded.”

Up Next: The Badgers will head to the 2024 Women’s Frozen Four for the national semifinal game on Friday, March 22 at the Whittemore Center Arena in Durham, New Hampshire. UW will compete against Colgate at either 3 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. CT, while Clarkson and Ohio State will face off in the other semifinal.