HAMDEN, CONN. – After falling just short of their third consecutive NCAA title Sunday, the Gophers weren't ready to start discussing next season. But it's worth noting that the 2015 Women's Frozen Four will be back in Minnesota, at Ridder Arena.
Will the Gophers be back? That's a pretty good bet, especially with two Olympians set to rejoin the program next year in Amanda Kessel and Lee Stecklein.
The team's first thoughts after the 5-4 championship-game loss to Clarkson were with the four departing seniors — Bethany Brausen, Kelly Terry, Sarah Davis and Baylee Gillanders — a group that did plenty of winning before Sunday.
In their four years, the Gophers went 139-17-5, with two national championships, a runner-up finish and a loss in the 2011 NCAA quarterfinals.
Brausen was a two-time captain and an invaluable role player. Terry had 22 goals and 32 assists this season, including two assists Sunday. Davis finished with 20 goals and 29 assists, and Gillanders scored in both Frozen Four games.
"I like to hope that we made our mark on the program," Terry said. "I think all four of us bring a different thing to the table. We try to lead by example, we lead vocally. Our up-and-coming senior class, they're all amazing people as well."
Next year's seniors include Kessel, who won the Patty Kazmaier Award last year, and All-America defenseman Rachel Ramsey. Two other big scorers in that current junior class are Rachael Bona (23 goals, 38 assists) and Meghan Lorence (18 goals, 17 assists).
Next year's junior class includes Stecklein, Kazmaier finalist Hannah Brandt (23 goals, 42 assists), second-team All-America defenseman Milica McMillen and goalie Amanda Leveille, who ranked second in the nation in goals-against average.
