Nicole Abraham (center) and teammates celebrate her game-winning goal. (Photo courtesy of Roisen Granlund '17, Gustavus Sports Information)
ST. PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s hockey team shut out Concordia College by a score of 5-0 Friday evening at Don Roberts Ice Rink, improving its record to 11-5-2 overall and 7-2-2 in MIAC action.
The Gusties poured on the offense, totaling five goals off 44 shots to top the Cobbers and earn their fifth shutout win of the season.
“We played really well from start to finish, it was fun to see,” said Head Coach Mike Carroll. “The kids have been working hard and they played a good game tonight.”
A strong first period in which Gustavus tallied 19 shots on goal almost looked as if the scoreboard was going to read 0-0 until a shot with under a minute left from Nicole Abraham (Fy., St. Paul, Minn.) found its way past Cobber netminder Andrea Klug to give the Gusties a 1-0 lead. Abraham’s third goal of the season would stand as the eventual game-winner as the home team kept the foot on the gas for the rest of the game and played sound defense.
Emily Gustafson matched a career-high two-goal performance. (Roisen Granlund photo)
“We have been trying to clean up our battle level in all three zones. I think doing a little better in the neutral and defensive zone has allowed us to forecheck more and get the puck in. When we play with effort, we can be real fun to watch,” said Carroll.
In the second period, Gustavus scored twice off hard-working plays right outside the crease. Emily Gustafson (Sr., Esko, Minn.) scored at the 7:50 minute mark on the power play off a nice pass from the behind the night off the stick of Kaitlyn Klein (Jr., Plymouth, Minn.). Soon after, the Gusties added another as Marina Chapman (So., South Haven, Minn.) scored her second of the season with help from Tegan Rodriguez (Fy., Sioux City, Iowa), who has now recorded a point in three-straight games.
Gustavus matched its effort in the third and added another two goals. Around the midway point of the final frame, Gustafson took another nice pass from Klein and buried her second goal of the game with help from Diana Draayer (Jr., Deephaven, Minn.) as well. Gustafson’s two goal game matches her career-high set a week ago at St. Olaf. Draayer’s helper also stood as her third of the night to tie a career-high. Klein also recorded a career-best two assist game.
Erica Power (Jr., Lakeville, Minn.) scored an unassisted goal late to seal the 5-0 victory for the Gusties. Goaltender Amanda DiNella (So., Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.) tallied 19 saves to notch her fourth shutout of the season and improve her record to 6-2-1 overall.
The Black and Gold look for the series sweep tomorrow afternoon, hosting the Cobbers again at Don Roberts Ice Rink. Puck drop is scheduled for 2 p.m.
“Concordia is a good team and it is a whole new day tomorrow,” Carroll mentioned. “We are going to have to challenge ourselves and see what we can do to match the effort tonight.”
Thank you so very much for taking the time to let us know what a wonderful, capable, & committed granddaughter we are blessed with. An important ingredient to be a good child is a good parent & she has good parents.
We believe that the team is glad to have her as a member & she is probably happy that she is playing with them.
Thank you Lord for everything.
Pop pop & Nana