March 30 - April 1 Overview: The Badger Club finished 6th place in the ACHA National Tournament in St. Louis, MO. After playing their first two games, one of the teams protested the playing eligibility of goaltender Melissa Wilking. It was deemed by the ACHA president and commissioner that UW had participated with an ineligible player according the ACHA guidelines. Badger's Team President and ACHA Commissioner discuss the eligibility of Wilking in December, however there was miscommunication and UW believed that Wilking could join the team. Upon the protest, UW could not produce strong enough evidence to prove the acceptance by ACHA leaders. Thus, the Badgers were forced to forfeit all games that Wilking had played in. learn more on the ruling (ACHA web site)

About the ruling and tournament... "We were slated to head into the championship game, only to find out about this ineligibility issue. This is something we made efforts in December with the ACHA to take care of (Wilking joining the team from Varsity). Take away this sanction and look where we would have been. Our goal was to play for the championship this year and we would have met that goal. Hats off to the efforts of these women this season. We faced some really talented teams in St. Louis and proved we are a top contending team. Rules are rules and what's done is done. If you can't change history, there is only one thing left to do... take care of the unfinished business next year." - coach uschan.

Games Summary. Wisconsin did defeat #4 Eastern seed University of Maryland 4 -1. They then tied #3 Western seed Arizona State University 0 - 0 (who finished 2nd). In the final round-robin game, they defeated #1 Eastern seed Penn State University 5 - 2 without Wilking. Unofficial, this would have moved Wisconsin to the Championship game vs. St. Cloud. With the Sanction, UW faced Michigan in the 5th place game and lost 2 - 4. [Nationals Action Photos]

Game1: Wisconsin 4 - Maryland 1

Wisconsin dominated this game from the drop of the puck. It was only a matter of a few shifts before Roseann Meyer went coast-to-coast and blasted the teams first of four goals. Jen Starbuck picked up her first of the evening on a wrist shot beating Maryland goaltender. Although Wisconsin dominated the game, they were only able to net one second period goal on a rebound by Sara Michalski. After two UW was comfortably leading 3 - 0. Jen Starbuck added her second on another wrist shot that handcuffed the Maryland goalie. Maryland scored their only goal on their fifth shot of the game with :48 seconds remaining. Wisconsin outshot the #4 Eastern seed 31 to 4.

Scoring Recap:
Roseann Meyer (unassisted)
Jen Starbuck (Vruwink)
Sara Michalski (unassisted)
Jen Starbuck (unassisted)

Wilking Saves: 4

Game 2: Wisconsin 0 - Arizona 0

A much tougher game as the team faced a very talented Gayle Shalloo (ex-Providence Friar varsity). This game went end-to-end with both goalies hot in the net. ASU controlled the early parts of each period, but as the periods went on, Wisconsin wore down the shortened-benched and #3 Western seed ASU squad. "We had many opportunities to break open the game. Their goalie made some key stops to keep them in that game. Wilking was awesome as well, she only gets better when the competition levels increase" - uschan. Wisconsin ended up outshooting ASU 28 to 20.

Wilking Saves: 20

Game 3: Wisconsin 5 - Penn State 2

UW played this game without star goalie Wilking (ineligible) and after an emotional let down of having to forfeit games one and two. Sharon Lim stepped in net and the Badgers stepped it up again controlling most of the game. Sara Repp netted to goals, Katie Stojsavlejevic, Kelly Vruwink and Anne Woll also scored. The #1 Eastern seed Penn State scored goals in the second and third on long shots (really long... from the far blueline) to keep the score at a one goal margin during the first and second, But Wisconsin's aggressiveness kept Penn State from any good opportunities. "We really hammered it to them. This was an emotional game for everyone. They turned their energy into playing aggressive. If we would have had Mel in the nets, this game could have been 7 or 8 to nothing. Great efforts by all to help Sharon out in nets, who made some nice saves in tight" - uschan.

Scoring Recap:
Sarah Repp (unassisted)
Sarah Repp (Sara Michalski)
Anne Woll (unassisted)
Katie Stojsavljevic (Sara Michaski)
Kelly Vruwink (Jen Starbuck, Tara Machak)

Lim Saves: 12

Unofficial Round Robin Record: 2 - 0 - 1 (This would have placed the Badgers in the Championship game vs rival St. Cloud State.)

5th Place Game: Wisconsin 2 - Michigan 4

After a scoreless first period Meghan Collier scored her first of four goals to put Michigan in front 1 - 0. Sharon Lim answered back when she burried a Anne Woll breakaway rebound to even the game. Michigan picked up their second on a power play goal to go up 2 - 1. Abbey Olson scored her first goal of the season on a shot that rebounded from behind the net to even the match again. UW had some opportunities, but the #2 Eastern seed Michigan was strong in front of their net denying any rebound opportunities. Collier scored her third and forth goals and Michigan held on to defeat the Badgers 4 to 2. UW outshot the Wolverines 29 to 16 in the match.

Scoring Recap:
Sharon Lim (Anne Woll)
Abbey Olson (Anne Woll, Tara Machak)

Wilking Saves: 16

"This was a disappointing way to end our season. We were slated to head into the championship game, only to find out about this ineligibility issue. This is something we made efforts in December with the ACHA to take care of (Wilking joining the team from Varsity). Take away this sanction and look where we would have been. Our goal was to play for the championship this year and we would have met that goal. Hats off to the efforts of these women this season. We faced some really talented teams in St. Louis and proved we are a top contending team. Rules are rules and what's done is done. If you can't change history, there is only one thing left to do... take care of the unfinished business next year." - coach uschan.