In a press release Wednesday, D3hockey.com touted the Gustavus women’s hockey team as the team to beat in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) and a top contender in the NCAA West Region.
The Gusties posted a 22-5-3 overall record and undefeated 12-0-3 MIAC mark last season en route to their seventh-straight conference title and eighth-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. Through two games this year, the Three Crowns are 2-0-0 and have defeated their opponents by a collective score of 15-to-2. The Gusties are also ranked No. 6 in the latest USCHO.com poll.
Senior goalie Danielle Justice (Alexandria, Minn.)
Nate Woelfel of D3hockey notes:
For the majority of the last decade, MIAC women’s hockey has been owned by Gustavus Adolphus.
The Gusties have captured the last seven league crowns and in that time frame have racked up a 113-6-6 conference record that includes three seasons without a loss.
Smart money would pick Gustavus to continue in its winning ways. The Gusties return their top four scorers as well as four All-MIAC selections.
Lindsey Hjelm, who recorded 12 goals and 18 assists will lead the offensive charge while netminder Danielle Justice also returns. Justice, who posted a 17-5-3 record and a conference-best 1.34 goals against average a year ago should once again provide solid goaltending.
Despite the copious amount of recent success within the conference, there should be no shortage of motivation this time around for the Gusties. After reaching the Frozen Four, Gustavus was bounced from the tournament in the national semifinals where they fell 5-4 to eventual champion Norwich.
– The D3sports.com network launched D3hockey.com this year, a website geared to provided comprehensive coverage of NCAA Division III hockey.
The Gusties are set to begin conference action this weekend against Bethel. Friday, Gustavus travels to Blaine, Minn. for a 7:00 p.m. match-up against the Royals and the two teams will complete the regular season series in St. Peter on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.