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Badger women return to title game

DULUTH, MINN. — Jinelle Zaugg scored twice and Jessie Vetter made 33 saves to help two-time defending champion Wisconsin beat Harvard, 4-1, on Thursday in the NCAA Women’s Frozen Four semifinals.

Erika Lawler and Jasmine Giles also scored and Meghan Duggan had two assists for the fourth-ranked Badgers (29-8-3).

Wisconsin faces Minnesota-Duluth in the title game at 12:30 p.m. Saturday in a rematch of the Badgers’ 4-1 championship victory last year.

Minnesota-Duluth beat New Hampshire, 3-2, in the second semifinal.

Top-ranked Harvard (32-2-0) lost for the first time in 22 games. It was just the second time this season that the Crimson allowed more than two goals—both were losses.

After Jen Brawn gave the Crimson a 1-0 first-period lead, Lawler and Giles scored two minutes apart early in the second. Zaugg scored on a feed from Lawler midway through the second to make it 3-1, and off a feed from Mallory Deluce early in the third period.

Wisconsin coach Mark Johnson said Lawler’s goal was a turning point, improving the Badgers’ mental outlook and energy level.

“Being down 1-0 after the first period, I think we played exceptionally well because both sides were hesitant and a little nervous,” Johnson said. “I sort of relate it to a pingpong game where the puck is going back and forth.

“You know, Erika’s goal kind of calmed everyone down.”