Release Courtesy of Matt Higgins – MIAC Assistant Executive Director
The No. 4/5-ranked Gustavus women’s hockey team faced a daunting schedule over Thanksgiving weekend, but proved it belongs in the discussion of Division III’s elite teams. The Gusties tied No. 1-ranked Plattsburgh State 4-4 Saturday and dropped a narrow 3-2 decision to No. 4/5 Middlebury Sunday. Senior forward Carolyn Draayer led the way with two goals, including the game-tying goal against the nation’s top-ranked team. For her performance, the MIAC sports information directors honored Draayer Monday with the MIAC Women’s Hockey Athlete-of-the-Week award.
Draayer played her best game of the year against the nation’s best team to help the Gusties earn the 4-4 overtime tie with top-ranked Plattsburgh State. Draayer scored at the 10:33 mark of the second period to cut a 2-0 lead in half, then lit the lamp again with just 2:08 to play to complete a three-goal comeback and send the game to overtime and the eventual tie. Draayer finished with 10 shots over the weekend, including seven against Plattsburgh State and three in the 3-2 loss to Middlebury. This season, Draayer has four goals and two assists for a total of six points. She’s tied for third in the MIAC in goals and tied for 11th in points.
Gustavus, which is ranked No. 4 by USCHO.com and No. 5 by D3hockey.com, is now 5-1-1 overall and a perfect 4-0 in MIAC play to sit alone in first place in the conference standings. The Gusties will return to MIAC action this weekend with a home-and-home series against St. Olaf. Draayer and company will travel to Northfield to face the Oles Friday at 7:30 p.m., then will host St. Olaf Saturday in St. Peter at 2 p.m.