The Gustavus Adolphus women’s hockey team defeated College of Saint Benedict 6-0 Saturday afternoon to lock up its fifth outright MIAC title in seven years and sixth title overall. Jenny Pusch (So., Minneapolis, Minn./Holy Angels) scored a goal and two assists to lead the Gusties, now 21-2 overall and 15-1 in the MIAC.
After a scoreless first period, Andrea Peterson (Sr., White Bear Lake, Minn.) got the Gusties on the board at the 11:16 mark of the second with a 5-on-3 power-play goal off assists from Jenna Johnson (Fy., Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View) and Melissa Mackley (Fy., Burnsville, Minn.). Pusch extended the lead to two goals just 1:28 later off Danielle Blacker (Jr., Chisholm, Minn.) and Kelly Crandall (Sr., Plymouth, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong).
Molly Doyle (Jr., Eagan, Minn.) and Mari Gunderson (So., Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View) doubled the Gustavus lead with goals 29 seconds apart in the early portion of the third period. Doyle scored at the 4:44 mark off an assist from Pusch, while Gunderson made it 4-0 at the 5:13 mark by deflecting a shot from the point by Peterson. Peterson and Crandall were credited with assists. Christine Wicker (So., Burnsville, Minn./Apple Valley) scored a power-play goal at the 8:27 mark off another assist from Pusch, while Doig capped off the scoring with an even-strength goal at the 16:37 mark assisted by Wicker.
Breanne Scavo (Fy., Blaine, Minn./North St. Paul) made 11 saves to record her first career shutout and move her record to 5-1-0.
With a goal and an assist, Andrea Peterson’s career points total moved to 180, one shy of the MIAC record of 181 held by Sarah Moe. Peterson has 104 career assists, needing two assists to tie Elizabeth Gibson (Plattsburgh St., 2002-05) for third place on the NCAA Division III career assists list and three to tie Emily Quizon (Middlebury, 2003-06) for second place. Laura Hurd (Elmira, 2002-05) holds the career Division III assists record with 117.
Doyle moved into a tie for fifth place on the Gustavus career goals list with Laura Stypulkowski (2001-05) with 53. Doyle needs three goals to move into third on list behind Moe (80) and Peterson (76).
With 79 career assists, Crandall needs three to tie Stypulkowski for second place on Gustavus on the school’s career assists list.
Gustavus will close out its regular season next weekend (Thursday-Friday) with a pair of games against College of St. Catherine.