The Gustavus women’s hockey team opened its 2003-04 season with an impressive 3-1 win over the University of Wisconsin – River Falls at Don Roberts Ice Rink in St. Peter. The Gusties rallied from a 1-0 first period deficit to claim the 3-1 win.
UW-River Falls opened the scoring on a goal by Lindsay O’Keefe with two minutes remaining in the first period with an assist from Lou Paulson. The Gusties quickly tied the game at 1-1 when first year forward Michelle Guimond scored her first collegiate goal with five seconds remaining in the first period. Josefin Pettersson and Abby Randall were credited with assists on the goal. The Gusties outshot the Falcons 13-2 in the first period.
The second period was scoreless as Gustavus again outshot the Falcons 14-4. Gustavus was 0-4 on the power play in the period.
Gustavus clinched the victory with two goals in just over a minute midway through the third period. Leah Erickson scored what turned out to be the gamewinner at the 13:03 mark. Katie Deschneau was credited with the assist. The Gusties iced the win with a goal by Laura Stypulkowski at the 14:11 mark. Jess Brandanger and Andrea Peterson assisted on the goal. Ironically, UW-River Falls outshot the Gusties 13-8 in the third period in spite of being outscored 2-0. Gustavus held a 27-6 advantage in shots on goal heading into the third period, however the Falcons turned up the pressure in the final frame.
UW-River Falls entered the game ranked fourth in the US College Hockey Online Division III poll, while the Gusties were unranked.
Gustavus will face seventh ranked UW-Stevens Point in a two-game series next Friday and Saturday.