Minneapolis, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s hockey team held on to finish off a sweep of Augsburg College with a 3-1 victory on Saturday night at Ed Saugestad Rink. Meagan Wanecke (Sr., Delafield, Wis.) continued her spectacular weekend with two more goals to lead the Gusties in the victory. With the win, Gustavus improves to 7-0-0 overall, and 6-0-0 in the MIAC. Augsburg drops to 1-8-1 overall, and 0-5-1 in the MIAC.
A scoreless first period gave way to an Amanda Cartony (Jr., Stillwater, Minn.) goal on the power play 2:16 into the second period. Cartony’s first goal of the season put the Gusties on top 1-0 in the early going. Allison Eder-Zdechlik (Fy., Stillwater, Minn.) and Lindsey Hjelm (Sr., North Oaks, Minn.) were credited with assists on the play. It was each player’s third assist on the season.
The Auggies came right back with the equalizer nearly four minutes later. At the 6:45 mark, Rachel Hennessy took an assist from Kayla Fuechtmann to tie the score at 1-1, where it would stay for the remainder of the period. With the 1-1 score, Gustavus headed into the third and final period tied for the first time this season.
Senior Meagan Wanecke stole the show in the third period. Just under three minutes in to the final frame, Wanecke scored her third goal of the weekend and fourth of the season to put the Gusties on top 2-1. Wanecke was assisted by Kelly Thotland (So., Edina, Minn.) on the goal. With :46 seconds to play, Wanecke took advantage of an empty net to score her fourth goal of the weekend. The empty-net goal pushed the Gustie lead to 3-1, where it would stay for the remainder of the afternoon.
First-year goaltender Tara Hoverstad (Fy., Coon Rapids, Minn.) got her second win in as many collegiate starts. Hoverstad allowed one goal while accumulating 18 saves on the afternoon. On the weekend, Hoverstad gave up one goal in 120 minutes with 31 saves in her first collegiate action.
With four goals this weekend, Wanecke is the first Gustie player to score four goals in a weekend series this season. A Gustie skater scored four goals or more in a weekend on four occasions last season.
The Gusties will be back on the ice next Saturday, December 8th when they host Bethel in a non-conference match up at 2:00 p.m. at Don Roberts Ice Rink.