A Little History...

It was almost one year ago when the Badgers were slated to play St. Cloud in the championship game of the 2001 ACHA National Tournament. However, Wisconsin had to forfeit two of their qualifying games due to an oversight of an ACHA eligibility rule. This meant instead of playing St. Cloud for the inaugural ACHA Women's National Title, Wisconsin had to settle playing in the 5th place game.

In 2002, Wisconsin was determined to get to the championship game again and they did just that by defeating Michigan State (2-0), Bates College (3-2) and Penn State (3-1). They would face either a very polished and fast Boston University team or their arch rivals, the St. Cloud Huskies. The Badgers crossed their fingers for the Huskies to prevail in thier deciding and they did by defeating the Terriers 4 to 3.

This gave the Badgers the matchup they have been wanting for almost one year. In early December, the Huskies dominated the Badgers 2 - 0 and 3 - 1 in St. Cloud, MN while peppering Wisconsin goalie Katherine Arner with 87 shots. The Badgers got their revenge during parents weekend in Madison by giving St. Cloud their first loss of the year in defeating them 1 - 0 in early February. This was all the confidence that Wisconsin needed.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME:

Wisconsin Tops The Defending National Champion, St. Cloud Huskies in an 2 to 1 Overtime Game To Give The Badgers The ACHA Women's National Title.

Jen Starbuck netted the game winner just 1:58 into the overtime period on a power-play goal to give the Badgers the top spot in all of ACHA Women's Hockey.

"When the puck went in, it was like, Oh my God, we just beat them." - Jen Starbuck re-lives her thoughts before Suzie Mattke and team tackle her in celebration after the goal.

The Huskies went up 1 to 0 on a power-play goal early in the game on a slap shot that found its way through Badger goalie Katherine Arner. However, it would be Arner who would shut the doors for good on the Huskies. Anne Woll drove past three St. Cloud players before she slide the puck between the legs of St. Cloud goalie, Heather Moulzolf.

The rink atmosphere began loudly in favor of St. Cloud as the Huskies out shot the Badgers 9 to 3 in the first period. As the game progressed and the intensity of a true all-Western Division rival continued, the underdogs from Wisconsin began outshooting the Huskies 15 to 9 in the last two periods. It was back and forth action until St. Cloud took a crucial overtime penalty giving the Badgers another power-play opportunity. Wisconsin took a time-out to plan the attack. Moments later, Starbuck scores and the Wisconsin bench erupts onto the ice with the victory over a very stunned St. Cloud team.

"St. Cloud is a very talented, young team with a lot of players. They had an excellent tournament, but I think they took us for granted. For us, this was the match up we wanted (after last years ineligibility issues). There was unfinished business in the ACHA and we took care of it. We came here to win it all. My job is to make them believers, their job is to perform, and those twelve players did just that." - Head Coach Chris Uschan

Goals: Woll, Starbuck (game-winner)
Saves: Arner 18

QUALIFYING GAMES

Game 3: Wisconsin 3 - Penn State 1

With both teams controlling their destiny to the championship game, the Badgers took charge with a first period goal by Jen Starbuck. Jen buried a Power-play goal after an aggressive Anne Woll forecheck. However, just :29 seconds later, ACHA Tournament MVP, Andrea Lavelle, fired a rocket from the blueline past UW's Arner. Suzie Mattke tallied her second game winner as she cleaned up another Badger Power-play goal. Goaltender Katherine Arner and the defensive corps were solid the entire game not allowing any more Penn State goals. Allison Rademaker added the insurance goal and clarity to the championship game.

Goals: Starbuck, Mattke (game-winner), Rademaker
Saves: Arner 20

Game 2: Wisconsin 3 - Bates College 2

Wisconsin came from a two goal deficit to beat Bates late in the game. The Badgers came out very flat against the wildcard seeded Bates College which had the UW down 2 to 0. A new forecheck and some motivational play set the tone for a very important win for Wisconsin. Anne Woll got the Badgers going when she pressured the Bates defenseman in front of their own net and slapped the puck past a non-attentive Bates goalie. With the wheels rolling, Wisconsin failed to capitalize on many opportunities leaving them down 2 to 1 with one period to go. Suzie Mattke put on the hero jersey as she scored two third period goals to lift the Badgers past Bates. Mattke wristed a 25 footer past the Bates goalie with 3:35 left in the game. Then with only :58 seconds left, Mattke picked up an errant pass in front of the Bates goal and slide the puck in the backdoor to give the Badgers new hope for the Tournament. Arner made only 8 saves in the contest

Goals: Woll, Mattke (2, game-winner)
Saves: Arner 8

Game 1: Wisconsin 2 - Michigan State 0

The Badgers opened against MSU in game one of the round robin games. This was the third time in eight days the two teams have met. Sara Michalski got the team going on a rebound goal in the first period and also banged in a similar goal in the second period. The Badgers kept attacking, but MSU goalie made some key save keeping MSU in the game. Michalski's two goals would be all that was needed as Arner came up huge stopping all 21 shots she faced including 10 in the third period alone.

Goals: Michalski (2, game-winner)
Saves: Arner 21

2002 National Tournament Results
as of February 9, 2002

1. Wisconsin
2. St Cloud
3. Penn State
4. Boston Univ.
5. Michigan State
6. Michigan
7. Colorado Univ.
8. Bates College

Click the National Tournament link on the ACHA web site to learn more.

All-ACHA Tournament Team Honors:

1st Team
G - Katherine Arner
F - Jen Starbuck

2nd Team
D - Tara Machak
F - Anne Woll

Honorable Mention
D - Annie Chamberlain
F - Allison Rademaker

Game Scores

Friday
St. Cloud 3
Michigan 0

Boston U 3
Colorado 0

Wisconsin 2
Mich State 0

Penn State 3
Bates College 1

Boston U 2
Michigan 1

St Cloud 5
Colorado 3

Wisconsin 3
Bates College 2

Saturday
Penn State 5
Mich State 0

Mich State 3
Bates College 1

Wisconsin 3
Penn State 1

Michigan 2
Colorado 1

St Cloud 4
Boston U 3

Sunday

7th Place
Colorado 4
Bates 2

5th Place
Mich State 4 OT
Michigan 3

3rd Place
Penn State 4
Boston U 2

1st Place
Wisconsin 2 OT
St Cloud 1