MADISON -- It seemed almost inevitable as the season marched on and junior goalie Ann-Renée Desbiens had amassed 10 shutouts before the holiday break, but Saturday what always seemed probable became reality as the Badgers handily defeated Minnesota State - Mankato 6-0 and advanced to the WCHA Final Faceoff in Minneapolis next weekend.
In front of a sell-out LaBahn Arena crowd that included her parents and brother, Desbiens broke the NCAA single-season shutout record. The previous record of 17 games was held by Minnesota's Noora Räty and was set during the 2012-13 season when Minnesota went undefeated.
"I don’t know what feels best, breaking the record or seeing my dad’s face in the stands.