BY JIMMY GILLIGAN | The Statesman The UMD women’s hockey team has a unique problem: they’ve got three goalies and faith in each one of them.
Freshman Maddie Rooney leads the Bulldogs in games started this season with 13, while senior Kayla Black isn’t far behind with eight. But it wasn’t until this past weekend that senior Karissa Grapp got her first start in net.
Grapp played five of six periods—and made 67 saves—against No. 2 Wisconsin, after replacing Rooney in the second period of Friday’s game.
“She did a great job for us. She had five good periods. I think she’s as important in the trio as the other two,” assistant coach and former goaltender Laura Bellamy said of Grapp.
The Bulldogs (9-12-1, 6-9-1 WCHA) return home this weekend after being swept by No. 2 Wisconsin for the second time this season.
Like in the first half of the season, UMD once again will face the Fighting Hawks the week after seeing the Badgers.
In the first series versus UND, freshman goaltender Maddie Rooney earned her first shutout of her career in a 1-0 victory.
But after senior Karissa Grapp made 67 saves in five periods of work last weekend, it is unclear who will start in net for the Bulldogs this time around.
“This week it’s a competition between the three of them, they just have to battle it out,” Bellamy said. “We’re definitely excited to have three kids in the net that we can trust.”
With three capable goaltenders, the key to UMD’s success against the Fighting Hawks this weekend may not need to rest with goaltending, but with their defensive play.
After struggling in the defensive zone Friday against Wisconsin, Bellamy was pleased to see a far stronger effort Sunday.
“Our defensive zone Friday to Sunday was night and day. We made huge improvements,” Bellamy said.
Puck drop between the Bulldogs and the Fighting Hawks is at 3:07pm this Friday and Saturday at Amsoil Arena.
BULLDOG GOALIES: THE NUMBERS
Maddie Rooney, Fr, 13 games played, .910 save percentage, 2.52 goals allowed per game
Kayla Black, Sr, 9 games played, .912 save percentage, 2.43 goals allowed per game
Karissa Grapp, Sr, 2 games played, .943 save percentage, 2.4 goals allowed per game