SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s hockey team hosted Saint Ben’s on Friday night and took home a 3-1 victory. With the win the Gusties improve to 14-5-5 overall and 10-3-4 in the MIAC.
“I thought we had some really pretty plays,” said Head Coach Mike Carroll. “We didn’t finish some of them but it was nice to see some good hockey plays being made on the offensive end. I thought we had a little let down after each of our first two goals but we hung with it and it was unfortunate to give up that goal at the end of the first period but hopefully we learned a lesson.”
The first period got off to a quick start as Allie Stanger (Sr., Paynesville, Minn.) scored at the 5:42 mark to put the Gusties on top with assists going to Lilia Scheid (Fy., Stillwater, Minn.) and Kristina Press (Fy., Cottage Grove, Minn.). At 14:00, Taylor Nelson (Jr., Wayzata, Minn.) scored what proved to be the game-winner with her first goal of the season assisted by Madison Bergren (Sr., Mahtomedi, Minn.) and Hannah Kobienia (Fy., Willmar, Minn.). The Bennies were able to bounce back as they notched a goal with three seconds remaining in the period to head into the first intermission down just one goal.
Both Amanda DiNella (Sr., Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.) and Kailee Medved of Saint Ben’s played well in net in the contest and that was evident in the second period as neither team was able to find the back of the net albeit some good opportunities and the Gusties outshooting the 16-6.
In the third period the Gusties were able to give themselves a little more cushion at the 2:41 mark when Kayla Vrieze (Fy., Eagan, Minn.) scored from the point with assists going to Scheid and Kristen Cash (Jr., Roseville, Minn.). The rest of the third period went scoreless as DiNella made all seven saves in the period to bring her total to 19 in the game to help secure the victory for the Gusties.
In the contest the Gusties outshot the Bennies by a total of 40-20.
The two teams will meet tomorrow at Dave Torrey Arena in St. Cloud for a 2:30 p.m. contest.