Noora Räty • Senior, Goaltender, University of Minnesota
MADISON, Wis. – A pair of veteran goaltenders, Jorid Dagfinrud of the University of North Dakota and Noora Räty of the University of Minnesota, are WCHA Women’s co-Defensive Players of the Week for Oct. 24.
Dagfinrud, a senior from Sarpsborg, Norway, yielded just a single power-play goal in six periods between the pipes and stopped 34 of 35 shots on goal for a .971 saves percentage with five shutout periods to lead UND to a two-game conference sweep of visiting St. Cloud State on Oct. 19-20. Last Friday, she had 15 saves and held the Huskies to just one power-play goal in six opportunities in a 3-1 win. Then on Saturday, she stopped all 19 shots on goal for a 1-0 shutout victory and blanked SCSU on all six power-play chances to earn First Star of the Game honors. In four games played (three starts), Dagfinrud has allowed just one goal with a 3-0-0 record with two shutouts. Her 0.30 goals-against average and .981 saves percentage lead the country.
Räty, a senior from Espoo, Finland, was the backbone for the host Golden Gophers last weekend as she gained two wins and a shutout against No. 6/7 Ohio State. She also tallied her 83rd career win, which ties Jody Horak for the most wins in program history. On Oct. 19, Räty recorded 15 saves and helped Minnesota to a 7-2 win. Then on her record-tying night, she denied all 20 shots in an 8-0 UM victory to earn her 30th career shutout and First Star of the Game honors.
Also nominated: Abby Ryplanski, G, BSU; Danielle Butters, G, MSU.
