Hey Badger Fans! 

Last weekend the Badgers faced the St. Cloud State Huskies in our first regular season games of the season. We ended the series with a sweep, beating the Huskies 6-0 on Friday and 4-2 on Saturday. 

Highlights of the Friday night game include a phenomenal shutout by Anne-Renee, who made 16 saves, and goals by Syd the Kid (Sydney McKibbon), Sarah Nurse, Sophia Shaver, Abby Roque, and myself (2). 

For Abby, it was her first goal as a Badger! I asked the talented freshman to walk me through her goal and the emotions that accompanied it. 

"I had just hopped over the boards to get on the ice, and I saw Sam Cogan get the puck and pass it back behind the net to me," Roque said. "I knew there was an opening to try to cut to the net and get a quick shot so I took it. I ended up falling as I shot the puck into the net, so there I was super pumped about my first goal, trying to celebrate laying on my back. The feeling of scoring your first goal is something you'll never forget."

I'll admit, and I think my teammates can all attest to this as well, it was a pretty sweet goal. So sweet that Abby even received a shout out from the fairly famous sportscaster John Buccigross. You go, Abby! 

Saturday's game presented a unique challenge, as the Badgers fought back from a 2-1 deficit in the third period. A goal from Sophia Shaver, Jenny Ryan, and a pair of goals from Sam Cogan, ultimately led the Cardinal and White to a 4-2 victory. 

Soph, who tallied a total of three points over the weekend, reflected on the Badgers' kickstart to the season. 

"It was fun to show the results of all the hard work we've put in this summer," she said. "I think we also showed the depth of our team and how every one of our lines has something to contribute each game, and we can only build on that as we practice and play in more games together!" 

This week in practice, we have been working on correcting the little things, and continuing to grow as a team each day. We are counting down the days until our home opener (seven more days). 

On the schedule it might say we have an off weekend, but the Badgers have an exciting activity planned for Saturday in absence of a game: paintball. Our competitiveness, stamina, and stealth will certainly be tested as we enter the battlefield. 

"Paintball is just a really fun way of getting to be with your team outside of the rink!" Lauren Williams noted. "And seeing as it will be a first time experience for many people I'm sure that there will be some funny moments that stick with us for the rest of the year." 

Who will prevail? 

We hope to see you at our next games the weekend of October 7-8 as we take on the Ohio State Buckeyes at LaBahn Arena! Have a wonderful weekend! 

On Wisconsin! 

      -Baylee