The Gustavus women’s hockey team scored three times in the first four minutes of the game and it looked liked the Gusties might be on their way to a blowout victory, but Bethel slowed Gustavus down the rest of the way and the result was a 4-1 victory for the Gusties on Friday night at Don Roberts Ice Rink in St. Peter, Minn. Four different players scored for Gustavus including Allie Schwab, Mollie Carroll, Kayla Ingbretson, and Amanda Cartony. The Gusties are now 5-0-0 overall and 3-0-0 in MIAC play. All five goals scored in the game were registered in the first period.
Before the fans could get settled in their seats, Allie Schwab put the puck past Bethel goaltender Jess Newstrom at the 1:28 mark. Meagan Wanecke and Lisa Tuuri were credited with assists. Less than two minutes later, Mollie Carroll extended the Gustavus lead to 2-0 when she beat Newstrom at the 3:24 mark. Lindsey Hjelm and Amanda Cartony picked up assists on the goal. The adage all good things come in threes came true for the Gusties when Kayla Ingbretson score her first goal of the season less than a minute later off a scramble in front of the net. Gina DeNucci was credited with the assist.
The Royals slowed the Gustie onslaught when Kate Wahlin scored a power play goal at the 11:01 mark with assists from Anna Carlson and Haley Toter. It was only the second goal Gustavus had allowed in five games this season.
Late in the period, Lindsey Hjelm hustled to keep the puck in the Bethel zone and then skated behind the Royal net and slipped a pass to a streaking Amanda Cartony who one-timed a bullet past a defenseless Newsom for her first collegiate goal. The Gusties took a 4-1 lead into the locker room after the first 20 minutes of play.
Gustavus would out-shoot Bethel 15-0 in the second period and 10-2 in the third period, but Newsom turned back the Gusties every time making 25 saves. In addition, the Royals kept Gustavus at bay through five power play opportunities in the final two periods.
Gustie goaltenders Danielle Justice (40 minutes) and Katherine Jorgenson (20 minutes) combined for the win with both making two saves. Newson recorded 40 saves in goal for Bethel.
Gustavus will complete its MIAC series against the Royals on Saturday afternoon at 4 pm at Fogerty Arena in Blaine.