University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
25-10-1, 19-9-1
St. Cloud State
12-22-2, 7-20-2
Team Stats
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Murphy Sets Program Goal Record as Gophers Force Game Three
2/28/2026 5:11:00 PM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS – The third-seeded University of Minnesota women's hockey team earned a 4-1 victory over sixth-seeded St. Cloud State University on Saturday afternoon at Ridder Arena to force a decisive Game Three in the opening round of the WCHA playoffs. Graduate forward Abbey Murphy scored twice to become Minnesota's all-time leading goal scorer, netting the 140th and 141st goals of her career.
Minnesota opened the scoring 8:15 into the first period. Chloe Primerano fired a shot from just inside the blue line off a point-to-point feed from Sydney Morrow, and Tereza Plosova redirected the puck in front for her ninth goal of the season.
After ringing the post earlier in the second period, her third pipe of the series, Murphy broke through at the 3:20 mark of the middle frame. Primerano sent a stretch pass from the defensive zone through neutral ice to spring Murphy, who blasted a slapshot from the right faceoff dot to double the Gophers' lead at 2-0.
The Maroon and Gold added a power-play goal late in the second. Morrow found Primerano in the high slot, and the sophomore buried a shot through traffic to make it 3-0 with just over two minutes remaining in the period.
St. Cloud State cut into the deficit 4:50 into the third period, but Murphy sealed the win with an empty-net goal in the final minute to secure the 4-1 final.
With the victory, Minnesota snapped a five-game skid and extended its season, forcing a winner-take-all Game Three on Sunday.
Quotable
"A great win and we needed it," said head coach Brad Frost. "Our backs were against the wall and we were able to find a way to get the job done here tonight."
Frost on Murphy's Milestone
"We're just so happy for her, she's a legend. She has been a huge part of our program for a number of years. It was fun to see her score a couple after having a few chances last night, but finishing here today."
Notable
- Murphy became the program's all-time leading goal scorer with 140 and 141 career goals.
- Primerano recorded her 10th goal of the season.
- Morrow tallied two assists.
- Hannah Clark made 17 saves in net.
Up Next
Minnesota and St. Cloud State will meet Sunday in a decisive Game Three of the best-of-three opening-round series. The winner advances to the WCHA Final Faceoff at Lee and Penny Anderson Arena in St. Paul, Minn. Puck drop is set for 3 p.m. CT at Ridder Arena. The game will stream on B1G+ and air on FOX9+.