St. Peter, Minn. – After being swept by a conference opponent for the first time in 10 years last weekend, the Gustavus women’s hockey team got back on track Friday night with a 3-0 win over St. Catherine University at Don Roberts Ice Rink.
The Gusties scored a goal in each period – two of which were scored by sophomore sensation Allison Eder-Zdechlik (So., Stillwater, Minn.) – and Lindsey Hibbard (So., Princeton, Minn.) recorded her third shutout of the season to put her team back in the win column.
With tonight’s result, Gustavus improves to 13-5-2 overall and 11-2-0 in the MIAC, while St. Catherine falls to 10-8-1 overall and 7-5-1 in league play.
After a scoreless opening seven minutes, Eder-Zdechlik put the Gusties on the scoreboard with her 16th goal of the season at the 12:55 mark. Melissa Doyle (Sr., White Bear Lake, Minn.) assisted on the goal, her ninth of the season.
The two teams played to a scoreless tie for the remainder of the period and Gustavus went to the first intermission with a 1-0 lead. The goal came in a frame that saw the Guties to a 7-4 advantage in shots on goal.
Gustavus added its second goal of the night 4:23 into the second period. Marissa Brandt (Jr., Vadnais Heights, Minn.) scored unassisted to give her team the 2-0 lead. It was her second of the season.
The Gusties again held the shot advantage 12-8 in the period.
Eder-Zdechlik wasted little time putting the seal on the win in the third period. The sophomore scored 30 seconds into the frame with just seven seconds remaining on a power play. Carolyn Draayer (Jr., Deephaven, Minn.) and Courtney Boucher (Jr., Hastings, Minn.) assisted on the goal. With the 3-0 lead in hand, the Gusties coasted to victory.
With her two goals tonight, Allison Eder-Zdechlik maintained her position atop the MIAC goal-scoring race. She now has 17 on the season.
For the game, Gustavus outshot St. Catherine 26-22 and held the Wilcats scoreless on seven power play opportunities, while scoring on one of three of their own.
Lindsey Hibbard was solid in net for Gustavus. The sophomore made 22 saves in the shutout win. She improves to 6-3-1 on the year. Samantha Geissler allowed all three goals in net for St. Catherine, making 23 saves in the losing effort. She drops to 5-3-0 on the season.
These two teams will square off once again tomorrow afternoon when they travel to St. Paul for a 2:00 p.m., puck drop.