The Gusties celebrate after a goal.
Returning 18 letterwinners from last year’s team, the Gustavus women’s hockey team knew it would have a solid crop of veterans to help lead the team. But two games into the 2011-12 campaign, it’s been the first-years making a name for themselves. Rookie Carolyn Draayer scored two goals for the Gusties for the second-straight game, leading Gustavus to an 8-1 victory over St. Norbert in St. Peter, Minn. Saturday afternoon.
Getting the scoring rout started for the Gusties was first-year Courtney Boucher. Allie Schwab fired a shot on goal and the rookie forward deflected it in at the 6:41 mark of the first period. On their first power play of the game, the Gusties capitalized with Draayer’s first goal of the game in the 15th minute of the first. With :40 remaining in the opening frame, Draayer knocked in her second goal to put the Gusties up 3-0.
Joining Boucher and Draayer as newcomers to score a goal was Kelly Thotland at the 6:07 mark in the second during a power play. Schwab put the Gusties out in front 5-0 on another power play goal in the 14th minute of the second.
St. Norbert ended the shutout with a five-on-three goal with just :12 remaining in the second when Ali Parker deflected in Lotta Haarala’s shot.
In the third frame, the Gusties were able to punch in two power play goals. The first came off the stick of Grace Olson and the second provided by Lindsey Hjelm. Kayla Ingbretson tallied the game’s final goal with 3:07 remaining to bring the score to a final at 8-1.
First-year forward Courtney Boucher takes the puck across the blue line. She scored her first collegiate goal Saturday afternoon.
Danielle Justice started her first game in the nets this season for the Gusties and posted 16 saves, with her only goal allowed occurring with just three defenders on the ice. Her counterpart, Kaley Gibson, faced 40 shots with 32 saves for the Green Knights.
Combining Friday night’s 7-1 victory over Concordia University and today’s 8-1 outcome over St. Norbert marks the first time since the 1999-2000 season that the Gusties have posted 15 or more goals in a weekend homestand.
Gustavus improves to 2-0-0, while St. Norbert falls to 1-2-0. The Gusties return to action Friday, Nov. 11 with their first MIAC test of the season at Bethel. The Gusties and Royals will face off at 7:00 p.m. in Blaine, Minn.