Kaitlyn Klein scored the game-winning goal for the Gusties.
ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s hockey team scored three unanswered goals after an early deficit to defeat the College of Saint Benedict by a score of 3-2 Saturday afternoon.
With the win the Gusties move their record to 6-3-1 overall (3-2-1 MIAC) amd reach 400 wins in Gustavus women’s hockey program history. The Gusties are the fastest team in the MIAC to reach the 400 milestone.
Seven minutes into the first frame, Saint Benedict was able to gain an early lead as Shelby Schneider put a goal past Gustie netminder Bailey Jackson (Fy., Chaska, Minn.). After one period of play, the Blazers held a 1-0 lead over Gustavus.
The Gusties stole the momentum in the second period, coming back to add two goals and take a 2-1 lead. Co-captain Allie Lewis (Sr., Kearney, Neb.) got the scoring started, just five minutes into the game to tie the game at one a piece. Laine Fischer (So., Northfield, Minn.) assisted on Lewis’ first of the season.
Near the end of the second period, Gustavus capitalized on the man advantage for the fourth consecutive game. Katy Fuller (Jr., Minneapolis, Minn.) tallied her first goal of the season on the power play with help from Amelia Vosen (Fy., Anoka, Minn.) and Kristen Cash (Fy., Roseville, Minn.). Gustavus outshot the Blazers by a mark of 12-6 in the second period and took a 2-1 lead into the final frame.
Quickly into the third period, the Gusties extended their lead to 3-1 as Kaitlyn Klein (Jr., Plymouth, Minn.) scored her team-leading fifth goal of the game, unassisted. Klein’s goal would stand as the eventual game-winner.
Around the five minute mark, Saint Benedict cut the Gustie lead to one as they notched a goal on the man advantage. That would be all Gustavus would allow as they shut down the Blazer attack and weathered the storm for the remainder of the period. Bailey Jackson made 16 saves in net to earn the win, moving her record to 2-2-1 on the season.
Gustavus outhsot the Blazers by a mark of 25-18. The Gusties are also now own a record of 4-1 when they tally a power play goal and are undefeated when they score at least three goals.
The Black and Gold return to action next Wednesday as the travel to River Falls, Wis. to take on the No. 4 nationally ranked University of Wisconsin-River Falls.