March 2, 2004

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The University of Minnesota returned to No. 1 in the USA Today/American Hockey Magazine Women's College Hockey Poll. The Golden Gophers registered two conference wins, defeating No. 8 University of Minnesota-Duluth twice on the weekend. Minnesota had a 4-1 lead in the second period on Saturday, and finished with a 5-2 victory over the Bulldogs. Sunday's game stood tied at five goals a piece after two periods. Golden Gopher forward Krissy Wendell notched the short-handed game-winner mid-way through the final stanza. Teammate Kelly Stephens notched an insurance goal 23 seconds later, making the final score 7-5, for the Minnesota victory. The Gophers next travel to St. Cloud State University for a two game series, while Duluth hosts Minnesota State University for two games beginning on March 5.

Dartmouth College climbs two places to No. 2 this week after defeating No. 3 Harvard University, 3-2, on Friday. Harvard outshot the Big Green, 31-29, but could not register the win. On Saturday, Dartmouth hosted No. 10 Brown University, and defeated the Bears, 3-2, as well. Dartmouth is now 12-3-1 in the ECAC, and is ranked third in the conference. The loss dropped Harvard two places in this week's poll, despite the Crimson's 6-0 blanking of the University of Vermont on Saturday. Brown travels to New York to face off against Cornell University and Colgate University next week, while Harvard hosts No. 9 Princeton University and Yale University.

The University of New Hampshire reached No. 7 this week after sweeping Hockey East opponent Providence College and securing the Hockey East regular-season title. Sophomore Rebecca Paul notched a hat trick in Sunday's 4-3 victory against the Friars, and registered three assists in Saturday's 7-4 win. The Wildcats finish their regular season this weekend with a home-and-home series against Boston College.

No. 9 Princeton fell two places in the poll after splitting the weekend series with No. 6 Mercyhurst College. Mercyhurst jumped two places following its 4-2 victory over the Tigers on Saturday. Princeton blanked the Lakers, 3-0, in Sunday's contest.

The seventh annual USA Today/American Hockey Magazine Women's College Hockey Poll is conducted each week in conjunction with the American Hockey Coaches Association. The poll includes input from women's college ice hockey coaches and journalists, as well as composite votes from officers of the American Hockey Coaches Association and American Hockey Magazine, the official publication of USA Hockey.

USA Today/American Hockey Magazine
Women's College Hockey Poll -- #20
(first-place votes in parentheses)b>

Others receiving votes: Minnesota State University, 4; Ohio State University, 2; Providence College, 1.