Women's Ice Hockey | 9/15/2025 1:33:00 PM

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Davenport battled hard on the road against the University of Minnesota but came up short in a 4–0 loss at Ridder Arena on Friday, Sept. 12 in their season opener. The Panthers generated chances but couldn't break through against Golden Gopher goaltender Nicole James, who stopped every Davenport shot to secure the shutout.

DU goaltender Avery Hall held her own, while facing steady pressure throughout the game. Despite being outshot, Davenport's penalty kill worked effectively, holding Minnesota to one power-play goal on six opportunities.

Defensively, Ainsley Skinner and Mika Kulynych each logged key minutes, while Abby Hildebrand and Kacie Stolarek helped stabilize the back end. On the offensive side, Hildebrand and Gabby Basha pushed play into the Minnesota zone, though the Gophers' defense limited quality looks.

While the Panthers couldn't find the back of the net, the effort provided valuable experience early in the season, with solid stretches of team defense and goaltending that can be built upon moving forward.

The Panthers fell 5-1 in Saturday's game as the Golden Gophers scored all five in the second period. Davenport's first goal of the season came on the power play by Sydriha Retzlaff to give DU a 1-0 lead at 12:35 of the second period. Minnesota then went on a barrage with five goals in a span of four minutes to take control. Five different players scored including Mandy Moran, Jillian Mlodozyniec, Kate Hill, Laramie Prell, and Brooke Jarman. Reilly Lind got her first start in goal for the Panthers.

Davenport takes on the University of Michigan's ACHA team on Saturday, Sept. 20 at Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor beginning at 6:30 PM in CCWHA action.