Mari Gunderson (center) celebrates after scoring to give the Gusties a 2-0 in the second period. (Photo by AJ Dahm, SportPix)
Danielle Justice made several outstanding saves in the nets for Gustavus. (Photo by AJ Dahm)
First year forward Mollie Carroll scored the Gusties first goal. (Photo by AJ Dahm)
Kelsey Johnson recorded a career high three assists in the game. (Photo by AJ Dahm)
The Gustavus women’s hockey team started off the 2009 portion of their schedule with a thrilling 3-0 win over top ranked Amherst at Don Roberts Ice Rink in St. Peter, Minn. on Friday night. Three different players scored for Gustavus, while goaltender Danielle Justice made 17 saves including spectacular stops to help the Gusties knock off a #1 ranked team for the first time in the program’s history.
With the win, Gustavus improved to 7-1-1 overall, while Amherst suffered its first loss of the season and fell to 6-1-0.
First year forward Mollie Carroll scored the Gusties first goal on the power play at 16:29 of the first period. Kelsey Johnson and Melissa Mackley were credited with the assists. Danielle Justice made 11 saves including two on breakaways by Amherst.
The second period was all Gustavus as Coach Mike Carroll’s squad controlled the puck for virtually the entire period and out-shot the Lord Jeffs 22-2. Amherst’s goaltender Krystyn Elek was outstanding in the nets as she continually turned away the aggressive attack of the Gusties. Gustavus scored its lone goal of the period at the 18:10 mark as Mari Gunderson tallied a power play goal. Kelsey Johnson and Jessica Doig were credited with the assists. Seven penalties were whistled in the second period including four against Amherst and three against Gustavus.
Play evened out in the third period as the Gusties out-shot the Lord Jeffs 6-4. The action was frantic as Gustavus tried to hold on to its 2-0 lead and Amherst battled to get back into the game. The Gusties put the game on ice with an even strength goal by Jenny Pusch at 13:21 of the final period. Lynn Hillen, who was credited with an assist, led a rush down the ice and ripped a shot that hit the crossbar and bounced across the crease where Pusch jammed it into the net. Kelsey Johnson was also credited with an assist, her third of the game.
Gustavus out-shot Amherst 37-17 in the game. Gustavus netminder Danielle Justice made 17 saves including 11 in the first period, two in the second period, and four in the third period. Amherst goaltender Krystyn Elek registered 34 saves including eight in the first period, 21 in the second period, and five in the third period.
The Gusties were 2-of-5 on the power play, while Amherst was unable to convert on any of its three power play opportunities. The Lord Jeffs were whistled for five penalties for 10 minutes, while the Gusties were whistled for three penalties for six minutes.
The match-up between Gustavus and Amherst was the first ever meeting between the two institutions in women’s ice hockey.