SAINT PETER, Minn. – The No. 4 Gustavus women’s hockey team lost 2-1 in a non-conference game against UW-Superior Friday night. The Gusties drop to 9-2-1 overall, while the Yellowjackets improve to 8-1-1.
“It was disappointing that we didn’t take advantage of the power plays early in the game” said Head Coach Mike Carroll. “When you get those opportunities there are momentum swings and we had chances there to get up on them a couple goals and it might have been a different game.”
Neither team found the back of the net in the first period. Each team had their chances as eight total penalties were called. The Jackets killed all six of their penalties while the Gusties shut down Superior’s two power plays.
Gustavus got on the board 33 seconds into the second period with Kayla Vrieze (So., Eagan) netting her first goal of the season on the power play, assisted by Kristen Cash (Sr., Roseville) and Kristina Press (So., Cottage Grove). UW-Superior answered at the 6:38 mark with a goal from Kaleigh Martinson. With just over five minutes remaining in the period, the Gusties let up their first goal on the penelty kill all season, as Amanda Sergent scored what would be the game winning goal.
Gustavus tallied 15 shots on goal in the third period, but UWS senior goaltender Catherine Johnson remained solid in net, as she had been all night, compiling 32 saves.
The Gusties outshot the Yellowjackets 33-11. Emilia Helms-Leslie (So., Fairbanks, Alaska) suffered her first loss of the season after making nine saves.
Gustavus will have another opportunity to avenge Friday’s loss when the two teams meet up in Superior, Wis. on Feb. 18.
“I was really happy with how we played in the third period,” Carroll said. “Moving forward that’s a step in the right direction.”
The Gusties next game will be Thursday, Jan. 16 at home against St. Olaf.