[media-credit name=’BRYAN FAUST/Herald photo’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]Cleaning up garbage is not a glamorous job, but sophomore forward Jinelle Zaugg has made a living of it for the No.1-ranked Wisconsin women's hockey team.

Zaugg, standing at 6-foot-1, is an immovable object in front of the net and has contributed to the team's success by scoring a plethora of rebound goals for the Badgers this season.

"I just seem to be in the right place in the right time," Zaugg said. "It doesn't matter how the puck goes in the net as long as it goes in."

Growing up in Eagle River, Wis., Zaugg always dreamed of one day playing for the Badgers, and she is making the most of her opportunities today. She is currently amid her second full season and ranks fourth on the team with 21 points, good for the top 10 in WCHA scoring.

While she appreciates her personal accolades, she remains modest in her approach to the game.

"I wasn't expecting to be scoring as much as I have been this season, but I work hard and listen to the coaches and try to make the most of my opportunities," she said.

Zaugg, who plays on one of the most dangerous lines in collegiate hockey, is a permanent fixture in front of the net, while speedy linemates Sara Bauer and Sharon Cole wreak havoc against opposing defenders. The trio has proven to be more than effective this season, combining for 79 points on the year.

According to head coach Mark Johnson, it was a match made in heaven.

"[Zaugg's] been scoring goals, and she has the opportunity to be playing out there with Bauer and Sharon Cole," Johnson said. "They're creating opportunities and making the most of them, and that's all you can ask for."

Zaugg wasted no time making her presence felt, scoring her first collegiate goal on her first shot ever taken for the Badgers. From that point on, playing with immense confidence, she went on to score 26 points last season while being named to the WCHA all-Rookie Team.

It's fair to say no one was surprised by Zaugg's instant success, considering her prep background in Eagle River.

Zaugg led her varsity squad to back-to-back Lumberjack Conference championships as a junior and senior. She was also recognized as the most improved player on her high school team as a freshman and as a junior — playing for an all-male team.

"Playing with the guys was a lot of fun. It's a much more physical game when you play with the men and the competition is great," Zaugg said. "It was a much faster pace than I was used to, but it helped make me a better player and prepared me for the college level."

This season, Zaugg has helped anchor the top-ranked team in the country while proving a threat on both ends of the ice and a major contributor on the power play. So far this season, Zaugg has netted six goals with the man advantage and scored four game-winners, both team bests this season.

"We always need to improve our power play, but right now, things are going pretty good," Zaugg said. "My role is to make screens in front of the net, stuff in one-timers and clean up the rebounds."

Highlights for Zaugg this season include a game-winner against a talented Dartmouth squad late in the third period as well as multi-goal games against Minnesota State and North Dakota.

Zaugg maintains she will not get ahead of herself and will continue to work hard toward her ultimate goal — a national championship.

"Personally, I just want to help lead my team to victory. We're No. 1 right now and we want to stay there. We all want to win our conference and hopefully take it all the way in the NCAAs," Zaugg said.

And all along the way, you can be sure she'll be cleaning up the trash.