BLAINE, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s hockey team came back from a two goal deficit to defeat Bethel 4-3 on Saturday afternoon. With the victory, the Gusties move to 7-1-1 overall and 5-1-0 in conference play.
The Royals got the scoring started early by scoring the only two goals of the first period to take a 2-0 lead going into the first intermission. Allie Stanger (Sr., Paynesville, Minn.) got her career day started in the second period right off the bat when she scored 23 seconds into the period to bring the Gusties to within one. At the 7:03 mark, with the Royals on a power play, Stanger found the back of the net again to tie the game with the short handed goal. Both of Stanger’s second period goals were assisted by Kristina Press (Fy., Cottage Grove, Minn.). With just 35 seconds remaining in the second period the Royals scored again to take the 3-2 lead.
The third period was all Gusties though as they outshot the Royals 12-7 and scored two goals to secure the victory. Jamie Byrne (Fy., Delano, Minn.) scored an unassisted goal at the 12:52 mark of the third period to even the game up at 3-3. With just 42 seconds to play in regulation, Stanger would cap off her hat trick on a power play with assists going to Press and Kayla Vrieze (Fy., Eagan, Minn.) to seal the 4-3 victory.
Amanda DiNella (Sr., Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.) got the start in net for the Gusties and made 22 saves for the victory.
The Gusties will next be in action on Wednesday when they travel to UW-River Falls for a 7 p.m. contest.