Hailey MacLeod and Jordyn Petrie were named WCHA Players of the Week

Ohio State University freshman Jordyn Petrie (19) celebrates a goal with Buckeye teammates against Minnesota Duluth on Sept. 22. Photo credit: Liam Ahern

Two Buckeyes were recognized for their performances in the women's hockey team's Friday-Saturday win over Bemidji State.

Freshman forward Jordyn Petrie was named Western Collegiate Hockey Association Rookie of the Week and junior Hailey MacLeod earned WCHA Goaltender of the Week honors.

Petrie scored three goals in two games against Bemidji State and was named rookie of the week after just four college games. She said she was surprised to win the award, but also said she's just sticking with what she knows.

“I wouldn't say I have the ambition to score a goal or get assists, but I have the ambition to play the way we're taught,” Petrie said.

The Lincoln, Nebraska native has scored four goals so far, making her the top scorer in the country. She also leads all rookies nationally with five points.

Petrie said she owes her success to her teammates.

“The goals I scored were because our team made the right plays so I could get the puck and score,” Petrie said.

Head coach Nadine Muzerall said she knows her players come to Ohio State to be successful and she holds them accountable in return.

“If they succeed, good for them,” Muzerall said. “Especially with a true rookie in Petrie, who scores points with Duluth in crucial moments when it counts and then gets us going on Saturday in Bemidji.”

After losing her first game as a Buckeye at her former school in Minnesota Duluth, she transferred to Ohio State University in 1999 [insert month and year here]MacLeod gave the Buckeyes a shutout against Bemidji State on Saturday. She said maintaining a strong mentality was key to her good performance.

“Coming to a new team is always nerve-wracking, but all the girls were super welcoming and made me feel very welcome,” MacLeod said. “It helped me do my best.”

MacLeod said she felt comfortable enough after the first few games to get the shutout.

“I think if you have any nerves in the first game, you just have to get them out of the way and then you can get back into the rhythm of the games,” MacLeod said.

Muzerall said it can be difficult for an athlete to have a great game but not be included in the box score, making a shutout all the more valuable.

“It's important for goalies to get the big shutout to boost their confidence,” Muzerall said.

MacLeod's record improves to 1-1-0 on the year, with a save percentage of .911.

Muzerall said she expects MacLeod to have a more impressive game in the future.

“We see a lot of great things in her game and she learns the game very well and is always wondering how she can get better,” Muzerall said. “So I think I’m going to see significant improvements in her game quickly because she’s so interested in getting better.”

The No. 5 Buckeyes will be back in action this weekend against No. 8 St. Lawrence. The teams will compete at Appleton Arena on Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 3 p.m.