Minnesota women’s coach Laura Halldorson has suspended freshman defenseman Danielle Ashley for the remainder of the 2003-04 season for violating team policies.
Ashley played in 26 games for the No. 1 Gophers, scoring two goals and 13 assists for 15 points. She was also the national leader in penalties with 37, all minors. Minnesota had sat Ashley for both of last weekend’s wins over St. Cloud.
Ashley is the second Minnesota freshmen defensemen to be lost for the season. Lyndsay Wall, a 2002 U.S. Olympian, was declared academically ineligible back in January.
This is also the second consecutive year that a Minnesota player has been suspended for the entire season in its final two months. Kristy Oonincx was suspended on Feb. 6, 2003 and later transferred to St. Cloud State.
The No. 1 Gophers next play on Saturday in the WWCHA Final Five, which they are hosting at Ridder Arena.
