Boal sets record in Warriors' split weekend

After a disappointing 6-1 loss at the hands of Minnesota State on Friday night, the Wayne State Warriors rediscovered their offensive energy and defeated the Mavericks 7-3 on Saturday.

Saturday's contest was particularly sweet for sophomore Melissa Boal, whose goal not only aided the Warriors' victory effort, but also moved her into first place in goals on Wayne State's all-time scoring list.

Friday's game started solidly for the Warriors as they outshot the Mavericks 13-6 in the first period and goaltender Tiffany Thompson played a perfect period. However, Minnesota State broke open the scoring midway through the second period and notched five straight goals before Boal got the Warriors on the board. Lindsay DiPietro earned an assist on Boal's goal.

Thompson finished with 26 saves.

Saturday's game also started strong for the Warriors. Junior co-captain Ashley King set up sophomore Emily Berzins's first goal of the season. Tina Vanderhoeven was also credited with an assist. Christine Jefferson then scored an unassisted goal.

But it was Boal's goal--which would put the Warriors ahead 3-0--that was the period's most notable. Vanderhoeven and DiPietro helped Boal notch the power-play goal that would allow her to set a new program record for most goals scored. Boal passed former Warriors skater Kelly Zamora with her 35th collegiate goal.

The Warriors kept rolling through the second period. They again capitalized on the man-advantage when Sam Poyton set up DiPietro for her second goal of the season. Poyton then got a goal of her own, with Boal and Chelsea Burnett assisting, to increase the Warriors' lead to 5-1. It was then King to Burnett for the sixth Wayne State goal of the night.

Minnesota State's Lindsay Macy scored twice to narrow the scoring gap, but Amanda Hungle's goal, with some help from Poyton, late in the second period would be the final tally and the 7-3 score stood till the game's end.

Goaltender Valery Turcotte was a major factor in preserving the Warriors' sizable lead. She made 12 of her 25 saves in the third period en route to her second win of the season.

The Warriors improve their record to 4-7-0 and remain at home next week hosting Clarkson.