Aspirations of an unbeaten season for the Gustavus women’s hockey team came to end Tuesday night in Superior, Wis. as No. 10 University of Wisconsin-Superior upset the fifth-ranked Gusties 5-1. Gustavus falls to 14-1-2 overall with its first loss since its 2010-11 campaign ended in the third place game of the NCAA Championships, while Superior improves to 12-5-2 on the year. The Yellowjackets also extended their win streak to a season-high five games and end a four-game losing streak against the Gusties.
After 15 minutes had passed in the first period, Meagan Wanecke put the puck on Jess Harren’s stick and the junior assistant captain found the back of the Yellowjacket net for a 1-0 Gustie lead. Each team traded a pair of shots on goal before Kerry Mayhew knocked in the equalizer with 2:22 left in the period. Teal Crosson and Sheryl Kaskiw were credited with the assist.
Nearly three minutes into the second, Allie Schwab was penalized for hooking, putting the Yellowjackets in the power play. And a minute into the player advantage, Kelsey Firkus gave Superior a 2-1 advantage, which proved to be the game-winner, on an assist from Kaiti Graham and Kiara DeKezel. With just over four minutes remaining in the frame, Mayhew tallied her second goal of the game – assisted by Dani Schultz and Alison Shrift – for the third unanswered score by the Yellowjackets and a 3-1 lead headed into the second intermission.
UW-Superior took a comfortable 4-1 lead at the 4:09 mark in the third on Firkus’ second goal of the night, which was also the second power play goal by the Yellowjackets. Graham tallied her second assist of the game along with Chelsey Wierschem. The Yellowjackets added to their lead with just over five minutes remaining in the contest as Schultz knocked in her first goal of the night, assisted by Kaskiw and Mayhew.
Marah Sobczak suffered the loss in goal for Gustavus after making 17 saves and allowing five goals, falling to 4-1-0. UW-Superior goalie Shanley Peters collected 23 saves and allowed one goal.
Gustavus tied a season-low 24 shots on goal, while the Yellowjackets fired 22 shots. The Gusties committed six penalties for 12 minutes where Superior was able to capitalize on two of its six opportunities in the player advantage. The Yellowjackets were flagged for three penalties and six minutes in the box.
The Three Crowns have a quick turnaround and travel to St. Paul Friday night for a 7:00 p.m. match-up with Hamline University. Game two is Saturday on Don Roberts Ice Rink at 2:00 p.m.