Meagan Wanecke fires a shots on goal against St. Olaf goalie Ali McKeever.
The Gustavus women’s hockey team didn’t let off the gas coming off a MIAC title-clinching sweep over Saint Mary’s last weekend, skating to a 5-0 shutout over St. Olaf on Friday night in St. Peter, Minn. Senior forward Allie Schwab tallied her third hat trick of the season and 11th multi-point game on the year. The Gusties improve to 19-1-2 overall and 14-0-1 in the MIAC, while the Oles – who are still in the playoff hunt – fall to 7-11-4 overall and 7-6-2 in league play.
With the win, Gustavus Head Coach Mike Carroll picked up his 200th career MIAC victory for a career mark of 200-20-4 (.902) in conference play. Carroll becomes the first coach to reach the 200-win mark in the 14-year history of the league.
It didn’t take long for the Three Crowns to light up the scoreboard as Melissa Doyle knocked in a loose puck from the low slot 1:23 into the game for a 1-0 Gustie lead. At the 14:17 mark and in a Gustavus power play, Schwab deflected in a Lindsey Hjelm shot and netter her first goal of the game. Hjelm and Kelsey Kennedy were credited with the assist. Gustavus took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.
The Gusties jumped out to a 3-0 lead 2:37 in the second on a breakaway goal by Marissa Brandt. Kayla Ingbretson set up the one-timer nicely with a centering pass to the right side where Brandt backhanded the goal over the glove of St. Olaf goalie Ali McKeever.
With a player from each team in the box at the 4:20 mark in the third, Mollie Carroll fired a shot from the left circle which was blocked, but Schwab gathered the rebound and found the back of the net for a 4-0 lead. Just 2:40 later, Maddie Bergh found Schwab to complete the hat trick. Schwab continues to improve her personal career-high marks with 21 goals, 15 assists and 36 points this season.
Head Coach Mike Carroll picked up his 200th career MIAC win.
Gustavus outshot St. Olaf 41-to-19 and won 40-of-58 faceoff as well. In the player advantage, the Gusties converted on 2-of-4 opportunities, while the Oles went 0-for-4.
Danielle Justice improved her record to 14-0-1 in goal for the Gusties after collecting 19 saves. She also tallied her fourth shutout of the season. On the other end of the ice, McKeever gave up five goals and stopped 36 shots.
The Gusties and Oles will face off for a rematch Saturday in Northfield, Minn. The puck is set to drop at 2:00 p.m.
Congratulation Mike. It’s always great to be first at something. 200 Wins in 14 years is amazing. Go Ladies, keep the streak going. Time for a National Championship run this year. Go Gusties!!
Congrats. What an accomplishment! You have done a great job!. Best of luck with the in coming games.