SAINT PETER, Minn – The Gustavus women’s hockey team is back in action for a 2:00 matchup against Saint Benedict’s on Sunday. The Gusties enter in 1-1 while the Bennies enter 0-2-1.
THE SERIES: Sunday afternoon’s game marks the 46th all-time meeting with Gustavus holding a 41-3-1 advantage. The teams last met on February 15th, 2020 where the Gusties took a 5-2 win over the Bennies, sweeping in the series.
LAST TIME OUT: Gustavus came out hot to start the scoring off. After ending her 2019-20 campaign leading the team in goals (19) Hailey Holland (So., Aberdeen, S.D.) notched her first goal of the 2021 season at the 5:51 mark in the first with an assist from first-year standout Sophia Coltvet (Fy., Arden Hills). The Augsburg defense would hold the Gusties to their one goal and kill off a penalty before heading into the second frame.
Just a minute into the second period, Holland doubled down on the scoring action with an assist from Tina Press (Jr., Cottage Grove) and Molly McHugh (So., Minnetonka). Thirty seconds later Madigan Goldsworthy (Jr., Chaska) tacked on a third with assists from Stephanie Anderson (Jr., Blaine) and Holland. The Gustie defense came out strong limiting the Auggies to just three shots before Press would find the back of the net for her second goal of the season with five minutes remaining in the period to secure the four goal lead.
The two teams played a more physical third period where the Gusties killed off two penalties to finish with a 4-0 win.
Both returning goaltenders saw minutes in net as Katie McCoy (So., Grafton, Wis.) started for two periods with seven saves, and Emilia Helms-Leslie (Jr., Fairbanks, Alaska) closed out the period with eight.
SCOUTING THE BENNIES: Saint Ben’s has started its season 0-2-1, most recently tying 2-2 against Saint Mary’s. Brynn Sexauer leads the team in points with two goals and one assist followed by Riley Schneider with a goal and an assist. Maggie Gilchrist leads the team’s goaltending in save percentage with 94% in two games played. The team ranks third in power play goals and second in power play opportunities.