The Gustavus women’s hockey team trailed 2-1 heading into the third period against St. Olaf on Saturday night, but Mollie Carroll scored to tie the score at 2-2 at the 2:37 mark and then Melissa Mackley scored two short-handed goals in just over a minute midway through the period to allow the Gusties to escape with the 4-2 win. Emily Klatt picked up the win in goal for Gustavus. The win extended Gustavus’ MIAC win streak to 28 games dating back to the 2006-07 season.
The Gusties claimed a 1-0 lead when Lynn Hillen scored her fifth goal of the season at 6:25 of the first period. Gracie Olson was credited with an assist. Gustavus held a slim 11-7 shot advantage in the first 20 minutes and led 1-0 at the break.
St. Olaf scored twice in the second period including an even strength goal by Melissa Sailor at the 10:52 mark and a power play goal by Kristen Latta at the 17:09 mark. The Oles held the Gusties scoreless in the period and led 2-1 after two periods. It marked the first time this season that the Gusties had trailed after two periods of play.
Gustavus, however would respond in the third period outscoring the Oles 3-0 and claiming the come-from behind 4-2 win. Coach Mike Carroll’s squad also held an 11-0 advantage in shots in the period. Mollie Carroll tied the score at 2-2 with goal at 2:37 with assists from Melissa Mackley and Kirstin Peterson. With seven minutes remaining in regulation play an the score still tied at 2-2, the Oles were on the power play when Melissa Mackley picked off a pass on the point and rushed down the ice to score a short-handed goal by ripping a wrist shot into the upper right corner of the net giving Gustavus a 3-2 lead at the 13:16 mark. Just over a minute later, with the Gusties still killing a penalty, Mackley once again intercepted a pass and raced down on a breakaway. This time she used a double move to deke St. Olaf goaltender Jessica Ptachik and slide the puck into an open net making the score 4-2 at 14:09.
Gustie goaltender Emily Klatt picked up the win in the nets. Klatt recorded 13 saves and improved her season mark to 3-0-0 overall with a 0.66 goals against average.
Gustavus will not play next weekend, but will return to action on Friday Dec. 5-6 with a series against Bethel. The two teams will play at Gustavus on Friday, Dec. 5 and at Bethel on Saturday, Dec. 6.