Strong Third Period Propels Women’s Hockey Past Augsburg For Series Sweep

MINNEAPOLIS – After defeating Augsburg College 5-0 on Friday, the Gustavus Adolphus women’s hockey team needed to make a third period comeback to earn a 2-1 victory over the Auggies on Saturday evening in Minneapolis to complete a series sweep. With the win, Gustavus moves to 7-0-1 in the MIAC and 11-2-2 overall, while Augsburg falls to 4-3-1 in the MIAC and 6-7-2 overall.

After taking a 3-0 lead at the end of two periods on Friday evening in St. Peter, the Gusties had a tougher time earning their win on Saturday in Minneapolis. The Gusties held narrow shot advantages in the first two periods, outshooting the Auggies 7-5 and 9-7, respectively, but the score remained at 0-0 until the third period.

At the 8:42 mark in the third period, Augsburg’s Kayla Fuechtmann scored a power play goal to give the Auggies their first goal and lead of the series. Claire Cripps was awarded the assist on the goal, which was her third of the season.

However, as it has done for much of the season, Gustavus saved its best for last and with 7:56 remaining in the game, Carolyn Draayer (Sr., Deephaven, Minn.) scored her third goal and fourth point of the series to tie the game at 1-1 on another power play off assists from Rachel Skoglund (Fy., Forest Lake, Minn.) and Allison Eder-Zdechlik (Jr., Stillwater, Minn.). The assist gave Eder-Zdechlik four points on the series and Skoglund two. Draayer now has three power play goals on the season, which is tied for first in the MIAC.

Skoglund then played hero when she scored the game-winning goal with 2:58 remaining in the game to permanently give Gustavus a 2-1 lead. The goal was Skoglund’s second of the season and sixth point and came off assists from Emily Reibert (Jr., Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) and Marissa Brandt (Sr., Vadnais Heights, Minn.).

Lindsey Hibbard (Jr., Princeton, Minn.) again played the entire 60 minutes between the pipes for Gustavus and improved her record to 9-2-2. She allowed just the one goal and made 18 saves. Erika Allen took the loss for Augsburg after allowing two goals and making 24 saves to see her record fall to 4-4-2 on the season.

Gustavus will return to action next weekend when it takes on Saint Mary’s University in a home-away series on Friday and Saturday. Friday’s game will be played in St. Peter at 7 p.m., while Saturday’s will be played in Winona at 2 p.m.

Gustavus 2, Saint Mary’s 1 (Box Score)