The Minnesota Gopher women’s hockey team lost its chance to win its third straight NCAA national championship Sunday afternoon, when it was defeated by Clarkson, 5-4, in Hamden, Conn., the Star Tribune reports.
The Gophers (38-2-1) had a 26-game unbeaten streak, and were trying to become the first University of Minnesota team to win a third consecutive national title since 1936.
But Clarkson (31-5-5), a private scool with about 3,500 students in Potsdam, N.Y. spoiled those plans. This is Clarkson’s first NCAA title in any sport.
The teams were tied 3-3 after two periods, and Clarkson took the lead on a goal by Vanessa Plante with 8:28 remaining. Shannon MacAulay made it 5-3 with a breakaway goal with 4:16 left, according to the Star Tribune.
The Gophers cut the lead to 5-4 with a goal by Baylee Gillanders with 3:41 remaining, but didn’t score again.
The last women’s hockey team to win three straight national titles was UMD, which accomplished that goal from 2001-2003.
