Kaitlyn Klein Scores First Goal After Injury In Home Opening Loss Posted on November 8th, 2016 by Trent Jackson

Kaitlyn Klein and teammates celebrate her first goal since returning from injury.

BOX SCORE | PHOTO GALLERY

ST. PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s hockey team gave up two late goals in the third period to suffer its first loss of the season against the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in the home opener at Don Roberts Ice Rink Tuesday night.

After taking a 2-0 lead into the third period, UW-Stevens Point bounced back and put three goals past the Gusties to secure a 3-2 victory. The Pointers record now moves to 2-2-1 overall while Gustavus falls to 1-1 overall.

Strong special teams play allowed for the Gusties to own a 2-0 lead in the second period. At the 12:45 minute mark of the second period, the Gusties capitalized on the skater advantage as Kaitlyn Klein (Jr., Plymouth, Minn.) tallied her first goal of the season to give Gustavus a 1-0 lead. Klein’s goal stands as a monumental one after she has made a full recovery from a broken C7 vertebrae, suffered last season. Katy Fuller (Jr., Minneapolis, Minn.) was credited with the helper on the goal.

Another power play goal pushed the Gustavus lead to 2-0 just a few minutes later. Emily Gustafson (Sr., Esko, Minn.) scored her first of the season as she tipped in a shot from Amelia Vosen (Fy., Anoka, Minn.), who took a pass from Kristen Cash (Fy., Roseville, Minn.). The assists stand as career-firsts for each Vosen and Cash.

The Gusties took the momentum into the third period as they were controlling the pace and leading the Pointers in shots, 15-4.

In the third period, UW-Stevens Point scored early to cut the Gustie lead to 2-1 when Ali Biagini tapped in a rebound goal for her team-leading third of the season. The Gusties maintained its 2-1 lead throughout most of the period but weren’t able to finish off the Pointers.

Biagini tied the game up late for the Pointers at the 17:34 mark on a breakaway. Just 16 seconds later, Lauren Smith scored the game-winner for the Pointers as she took advantage of a Gustie turnover and put one past goaltender Amanda DiNella (So., Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.).

The Gusties outshot the Pointers 35-15 despite having an even amount of shots on goal in the third period, 9-9.

Gustavus heads into Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play as it travels to the University of St. Thomas Friday night.