The No. 7/8 University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team scored early and often against the University of St. Thomas Sunday afternoon, defeating the Tommies 7-0 for the Western Collegiate Hockey Association series split at the St. Thomas Ice Arena.

UMD matched a previous season-high of seven goals, marking the second time the Bulldogs have notched seven goals in just eight games this year.  With the sweep, UMD also improves to 4-4-0 overall and in the WCHA, and moves into sole possession of third place in the league.

UMD's scoring spree started at 4:01 of the first period, when the Bulldogs red-hot power play made the Tommies pay on a 5-on-3 player advantage.  Lizi Norton found Mannon McMahon on the extended goal line, and McMahon fed Clara Van Wieren who one-timed the shot in the slot and completed the one-touch sequence for the 1-0 lead. 

It was Van Wieren again at 13:43 who popped in a puck played out in front by Elizabeth Giguere from behind the net. Van Wieren's second goal of the game and third of the series was followed by Kylie Hanley's rebound goal at 15:07 to extend the Bulldogs advantage to 3-0.  Hanley again figured in UMD's fourth goal to close out the opening frame, gaining the zone and backhanding the puck into the low slot for Naomi Rogge to hammer home at 17:29, completing a four-goal first period for the Bulldogs.

Hanley struck again midway through the second period, poking in a puck at 11:10 for her second goal and third point of the day.  Just 26 seconds later, freshman Gabby Krause banged in her first collegiate tally, putting the Bulldogs up 6-0.

Gabbie Hughes put the finishing touches on UMD's offense at 8:40 of the third period, taking a long feed from Anna Klein and beating UST goaltender Saskia Maurer bar down from the bottom of the circle for her second goal of the series and third point of the weekend.

Emma Soderberg and Jojo Chobak split duties between the pipes for the Bulldogs, with Soderberg making five saves in 39:42 minutes and Chobak two in 20 minutes.  UMD outshot the Tommies 43-7 in the game -- UST falls to 2-5-1 overall and in WCHA action.

UMD will take three weeks off from outside competition before returning to face Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minn. on Nov. 19.

BULLDOG NOTES:  Senior center Gabbie Hughes leads the WCHA in scoring with 14 points on six goals and eight assists through her first eight games … Elizabeth Giguere sits tied for second with 13 points (5g, 8a), while Anna Klein is in fourth with 12 points (4g, 8a) … Klein has now recorded 91 career points on 45 goals and 46 assists in 133 career (and consecutive) games.