The Gustavus women’s hockey team salvaged a split in its MIAC series with St. Catherine University with a 3-1 win at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis on Saturday afternoon. The Gusties led 1-0 after the first period and 3-0 through two periods before claiming the 3-1 victory. Melissa Mackley, Allie Schwab, and Meagan Wanecke each scored goals for Gustavus, while Danielle Justice recorded nine saves and picked up the win in goal. The Gusties are now 10-4-2 overall and 6-3-1 in the MIAC.
Melissa Mackley opened the scoring with a power play goal at 12:13 of the first period. Linemates Alyssa Gaulrapp and Allie Schwab were credited with assists. Gustavus, which outshot St. Kate’s 12-3 in the first 20 minutes, led 1-0 at the first break.
The Gusties increased their lead to 3-0 in the second period on even strength goals by Allie Schwab (2:21) and Meagan Wanecke (5:13). Mackley and Kelsey Kennedy picked up assists on Schwab’s goal, while Tam Meuwissen and Lindsey Hjelm registered assists on Wanecke’s goal. The Gusties out-shot the Wildcats 15-4 in the period.
St. Catherine broke up the shutout with a goal by Katie Lawler at 5:14 of the third period, but that is as close as the Wildcats would get and the Gusties were able to pick up two important points and salvage a split in the series. The Wildcats defeated the Gusties 2-1 in St. Peter on Friday night.
Gustavus is currently in third place in the MIAC standings with 13 points (6-3-1). St. Thomas is currently in first place with 17 points (8-1-1), while St. Kate’s is in second place with 14 points (7-2-0).