Mari Gunderson scored two goals in the third period.
The Gustavus women’s hockey team remained undefeated in MIAC play with a 3-0 win over the Bethel Royals Friday night in Blaine. Mari Gunderson scored two goals in less than two minutes in the third period as she found a way to get the puck past Bethel goaltender Beth Spurrier. Spurrier kept the Royals in the game as she was an impenetrable wall in the nets by making 66 saves in the losing effort. Gustavus improved to 12-1-0 and 7-0-0 in the MIAC, while Bethel fell to 6-6-1 overall and 3-4-0 in conference.
Gustavus applied pressure throughout the contest, but was not able to put points on the scoreboard as Spurrier kept the Royals in the game. The Gusties knew they were facing a hot goaltender when the team outshot Bethel 24-2 in the first period, but went into the locker room at intermission tied at 0-0.
Sara Yungner, a transfer student from UW-Madison, broke the scoreless tie on a pass from Linda Evans late in the second period at 18:41 to give Gustavus a 1-0 lead before the third period. Yungner has recorded a point in each game since she has joined the team. Spurrier stopped 19 shots during the period to increase her save total to 43.
The Gusties maintained their offensive attack through the third period before Mari Gunderson was able to find the back of the net at 6:32. Stefanie Ubl and Kirstin Peterson were credited with the assists. Gunderson lit the lamp 1:29 later with her second goal of the game as she was assisted by Jenny Pusch and Alyssa Saunders on the play. Spurrier finished the game with 66 saves and a .96 save percentage as she suffered the hard-luck loss.
Breanna Scavo posted her third shutout of the season with 11 saves as she improved her record to 11-1-0.
The Gusties and the Royals will finish the weekend series at Don Roberts Ice Rink in St. Peter on Saturday at 2 p.m.