SAINT PETER, Minn. – The No. 9-ranked Gustavus women’s hockey team completed the series sweep over St. Catherine on Saturday afternoon with a 2-1 victory at Don Roberts Ice Rink. The Gusties remain unbeaten on the year at 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the MIAC, while the Wildcats drops to 3-2 overall and 0-2 in the league.
“We played really well today,” Head Coach Mike Carroll said. “We didn’t connect on some opportunities but we were fast and played very well on all ends of the ice. When it got down to the end there the kids understood the situation and that we needed to keep them out of the net. They did a good job after we changed up our forecheck and got the puck bottled up so they couldn’t take their goalie out.”
Clara Billings (Fy., Rochester) scored the game’s first goal, and her fourth of the year, 8:31 into the first period on power play with the help of Kristina Press (So., Cottage Grove) and Molly McHugh (Fy., Minnetonka). Less than a minute later, St. Kate’s responded with an even-strength goal and the score read 1-1 after the first 20 minutes.
The Gusties started strong in the second period as Emily Olson (Fy., Delano) scored her first collegiate goal 1:30 into the frame. Stephanie Anderson (So., Blaine) provided the assist on what prove to be the game-winning goal.
Neither team was able to score in the final period and the Gusties held on the win. Gustavus spent a majority of the game in its attacking zone, outshooting the Wildcats 42-14. Francesca Gerardi (Fy., Yonkers, N.Y.) earned her second win in goal after making 13 saves. The Gusties killed off both of their penalties and took advantage of one of their two power plays.
“Our kids grew up a lot this weekend,” Carroll said. “We’d much rather have these experiences in a 2-1 game rather than a 5-0 game. Good progress.”
Gustavus faces Augsburg next Friday and Saturday for a home-home series. Friday night’s game is in Minneapolis.