Despite two wins this weekend, Harvard saw its lead over second-place Minnesota-Duluth erode ever so slightly in the USCHO.com Division I Women’s Poll. After a solid 4-0 win over Northeastern, Harvard squeaked out a 2-1 overtime win over No. 6 Providence on Sunday. Harvard received nine of 15 first-place votes, yet leads No. 2 Minnesota-Duluth by just two points.
UMD had an easier time of it this weekend, pasting St. Cloud State 11-1 and 8-2 in a pair of games. Bulldog Jenny Potter had a remarkable 13 points in the two games, on the strength of 8 goals and 5 assists. Duluth is outscoring opponents 94 to 26 on the season, and has three players in the top ten in scoring nation-wide.
Mercyhurst makes a triumphant return to the weekly poll following a 4-1 win over former No. 8 Brown and a 2-1 win over Yale. To make room for the Lakers, Brown falls into the receiving votes section. Mercyhurst will attempt to keep the momentum alive with a single game with conference-leader Niagara.
Highlighting this weekend’s action are the two toughest games of the season for No. 5 New Hampshire. The 14-1-1 Wildcats travel to No. 1 Harvard and No. 4 Dartmouth in a series that could set the tone for the remainder of the season.
The USCHO.com Poll is compiled by U.S. College Hockey Online, and consists of 15 voters, including 11 coaches of Division I programs and four women’s hockey writers.
