MADISON, Wis. — The top-ranked Wisconsin women's hockey program took its first loss of the season, falling 3-2 to No. 5 Minnesota on Friday afternoon at LaBahn Arena.

Casey O'Brien and Maddi Wheeler scored for the Badgers (15-1-1, 11-1-1-1) but UW was unable to overcome a 2-0 deficit in the first period against the Golden Gophers (13-4-0, 8-3-0-0).

The Badgers took six shots in the first but the Gophers scored twice in the opening frame to go up 2-0 in the Border Battle.

O'Brien got the Badgers on the board in the second period thanks to a feed from Maddie Posick. 

Wheeler tied the game when she lit the lamp in the final frame but Minnesota answered shortly after to win the game 3-2.

Three Notes of the Game

• Casey O'Brien continues to lead the Badgers and the nation in goals scored this season. She now has 17 goals through 17 games.

• Webster continues to lead the nation in points this season with 33. O'Brien is second with 32.

• LaBahn Arena sold out for the seventh time in seven games this season and the 92nd sell-out since LaBahn opened its doors.

Straight from the Rink
Head Coach Mark Johnson
On going down 2-0 in the first period:
"You know we've been in that position before. We came out and played a lot better in the second period, started working harder and created opportunities, and even in the third period, where it was going to be this chess game we were able to convert and get a nice goal."

On giving up a goal seconds after tying the game:
"It drains you. For some players that haven't been practicing a lot the past couple of weeks it just takes that momentum and that energy that you just created. Now you look up and it becomes a lot harder."

Senior Grace Bowlby
On the setback:
"A loss stings no matter what. A loss to Minnesota stings a little bit more. I think none of us want to feel that again, so we build off of that, build off this feeling and hopefully work to never feel it again."

Senior Kennedy Blair
On the overall game:
"We knew it was going to be a tough battle. They've been playing all the month of November and we only had two series'... we've just got to stay healthy and ready for the rest of the season. We were going to lose one of these times and I think it is a learning opportunity for all of us. We can't hang our heads and just got to come back tomorrow."

Up Next:
UW wraps up its Border Battle with a 3 p.m. game on Saturday at LaBahn Arena. Fans can watch the game live on B1G+