Despite having a 35-12 shot advantage and nine power plays, the Gustavus women’s hockey team fell to UW-Stevens Point 5-1 in St. Peter Saturday afternoon in the season opener. The Pointers scored two goals in a three-minute span during the first period to provide all of the offense needed for the win. UW-Stevens Point goalkeeper D’andra Phillips withstood intense pressure making 34 saves in the match.
Gustavus dominated every statistical category, except the one that determines the winner. The Golden Gusties came out strong in the first period outshooting the Pointers 10-5 and forcing the Pointers to committ two penalties. However, the story of the match was who converted on the given opportunities. UW-Stevens Point had only five shots on goal in the period, but scored on two of them. Dana Carothers got the Pointers on the scoreboard when she took a shot at the center of the blue line that found the back of the net as Gustavus goalkeeper Breanna Scavo (So., Blaine, Minn.) was screened.
Play continued the exact same manner with Gustavus controlling the puck in its offensive end, but the squad was not able to light up the scoreboard. UW-Stevens Point added its third goal of the game on a power play goal by Jessica Edwards three minutes into the period, as the Pointers were able to convert on its lone power play of the match.
The Golden Gusties started the third period facing a 4-0 deficit before converting on its eighth power play of the game when Jenny Pusch (Jr., Minneapolis, Minn.) scored her first goal of the season as Jenna Johnson (So., Shoreview, Minn.) and Laura Hillman (So., Albert Lea, Minn.) were credited with the assists. In an effort to increase the Gustavus pressure in the Pointer end, Coach Carroll pulled Scavo midway through the period giving the Gusties an extra skater for nearly eleven minutes. The Gusties were unable to generate any further offense, though.
Gustavus starts the season 0-1-0, while UW-Stevens Point moves to 2-0-0 overall. The Gusties will host Lake Forest Friday, November 9 at 7:00 pm before traveling to UW-River Falls Saturday for a 5:05 pm game.