UND junior Becca Kohler skates Friday night against RPI at Ralph Engelstad Arena. Photo by Nick Nelson/The Dakota Student.

It was a weekend to shine for Megan Dufault, Becca Kohler and the UND women’s hockey team.

In two games this weekend, the team matched up against RPI and Vermont. Dufault notched five assists on the weekend — three of which led to Kohler’s hat trick Friday night.

North Dakota’s efforts Friday night were enough for a 7-1 victory over RPI, but the goals didn’t come as easy Saturday against Vermont, as UND lost 3-1.

Still, North Dakota’s roster continued to display its talents.

“They were terrific. Becca Kohler was lights out, and so was Megan Dufault,” UND coach Brian Idalski said. “Obviously that’s what we need out of them. They have to perform like that game in and game out.”

UND was dominant in all senses of the game Friday night.

The Green and White got the scoring started at the 7:28 mark of the first period with Kohler’s first goal.

The team came out swinging in the second period, scoring three goals by Josefine Jakobson, Kohler and Marissa Salo. Dufault had assists on two of the three goals.

The third period saw the offensive effort continue, adding three more goals, including a shorthanded goal by captain Andrea Dalen — enough to claim the 7-1 win.

The defense and goaltending came up big. Shelby Amsley-Benzie had 20 saves on 21 shots. RPI had 11 power plays in the game, none of which they scored on.

“Special teams were good, so we were pleased with that,” Idalski said. “But the flip side of that is we gave them too many opportunities to work on our penalty kill.”

Round two

On Saturday night, UND had its hands full in a defensive game that saw 55 shots on net — 22 for UND and 30 for Vermont in a matchup that didn’t end as favorable for the Green in White.

For the second night in a row, UND did not give up a power play goal, but its defense didn’t follow suit.

“I thought the two breakdowns defensively cost us goals, and we have to be sharper with that,” Idalski said. “I think that’s something we can easily address, and definitely work on.”

Vermont got the night’s first goal at the 17:21 mark of the second period, and UND would tie the game shortly after as Jakobson put away a loose puck in front of goaltender Madison Litchfield.

Vermont tallied the game winner three minutes into the third after cycling down low and slipping a shot in the slot that beat Lexie Shaw stick side. An empty netter sealed the game and a 3-1 loss for the Green and White.

While North Dakota couldn’t claim the victory, Idalski was pleased with the team’s efforts and hopes to see improvement when the team plays a pair of games at Mankato next weekend.

“The effort was there, and I think it’s a little bit different playing your first game and being all jazzed up, and then playing your second on your second night,” Idalski said.

Kyle Beauchamp is a staff writer for The Dakota Student. He can be reached at [email protected].