[media-credit name=’JEFF SCHORFHEIDE/Herald photo’ align=’alignright’ width=’336′]
[/media-credit]The University of Wisconsin’s women’s hockey team looks to make history this weekend when it faces Robert Morris at the Kohl Center.
Holding a 28-game unbeaten streak, No. 1 Wisconsin (2-0) will play its home opening series with a chance to tie the all-time mark of 30 set by New Hampshire back in 2005-06.
Despite yet another record knocking at UW’s door, the team doesn’t seem to notice.
“I haven’t thought about it,” head coach Mark Johnson said. “I don’t even know what number it is at to be honest.”
“We don’t even think about it,” senior defenseman Emily Morris added. “When you start thinking about stuff like that too much is when you mess up.”
Instead, the Badgers are focused on the team at hand — Robert Morris. The Colonials are coming off a 3-0 loss to the Mercyhurst Lakers — No. 2 in the USA Today poll. Despite finishing just 11-22-2 last season, they should provide some competition for the Badgers.
“They are going to work hard and be competitive,” Johnson said. “We have to be sharp if we are going to win.”
Wisconsin has had some success against Robert Morris in the past. The team went down to RMU and won 10-0 and 5-0 in consecutive games last season. Both teams possess talented returning players and up-and-coming freshmen who are trying to gel early in the season.
The Badgers, in particular, have a great deal of experience, returning essentially their entire offense from last season — five of their top eight point-scorers from a year ago — save 2006 Patty Kazmaier winner Sara Bauer.
The team also boasts the preseason WCHA rookie of the year, freshman Hilary Knight, along with six other capable freshmen.
To continue its success UW must find a way to blend these players effectively. More important than continuing the streak or downing Robert Morris, Wisconsin is focused on simply getting better.
“Early in the season it is more about what we are doing, how we are playing, and looking for some chemistry within our lines” Johnson said. “You are trying to find some combinations, looking for some chemistry, and probably the most important thing is for our young players to get some game experience.”
The Badgers started off in the right direction with a strong week of practice.
“Right now we are working on everything,” Johnson said. “In fact, we still have to work on a couple things, but we haven’t had time yet.”
And the team chemistry is building.
“We are having a lot of fun,” Morris said. “Getting things to flow, and we are all getting on the same page."
While the NCAA streak could be tied at the conclusion of this weekend’s series for the reigning two-time NCAA national champions, this weekend is about starting fresh.
“I’m proud of what we have accomplished in the past,” Morris said. “But, it is a new year, and it being my senior year, I hope it will be just as fun as the past ones.”
Making the home opener even more exciting for the Badgers and their fans will be the raising of the 2006-2007 National Championship banner, which will go up 15 minutes prior to gametime. The puck is set to drop at 7 p.m.
