ST. PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s hockey team rebounded after a tough loss last night, earning a 4-2 victory over Hamline on Saturday to split the regular season series. The Gusties scored three goals in the first period and held off a late rally by the Pipers to improve to 4-1-1 overall and 3-1 in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
“We had to battle,” Head Coach Mike Carroll said. “Hamline has some kids that have a lot of skill and they can handle the puck along with some speed. We knew they were going to give us a push and that’s what makes the game fun, a lot more fun than it was 15 years ago. We just found a way and we’ve got a really good goalie. I think our kids need to continue to learn and understand that if they make a mistake, she’s [Amanda DiNella] got our back.”
Gustavus got on the board at the 4:17 mark of the first period as Erica Power (Sr., Lakeville, Minn.) took advantage of a turnover at center ice during a Hamline power play and scored a shorthanded breakaway goal for her fourth score of the season. At the 9:00 mark and the Gusties on the power play, Erin Moes (Jr., Hastings, Minn.) buried a loose puck in the crease for a two-goal lead. And with 7:28 remaining in the opening frame, Diana Draayer (Sr., Deephaven, Minn.) put home a dump pass from Katy Fuller (Sr., Minneapolis, Minn.) to give the Gusties a 3-0 advantage heading into the first intermission.
Amelia Vosen (So., Anoka, Minn.) gave the Black and Gold a four-goal cushion midway through the second period, but the Pipers charged back and had the Gusties on their heels for a healthy chunk of the time remaining in the second. Hamline ended the shutout at the 16:43 mark and carried a sense of momentum into the locker room at the second intermission.
The Pipers started the third frame on the power play and scored 1:16 after the opening faceoff. The visitors continued to apply pressure, but the Gustie defense and goalie Amanda DiNella (Jr., Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.) stood up to the challenge to secure the victory. DiNella made 24 saves in the complete game effort. The Gusties ended the game 1-for-3 on the power play and killed off 4-of-5 Piper power plays.
The win was special for the Gusties in more ways than one as they celebrated Alumni Day along with the 10- and five-year anniversaries of the 2007 and 2012 MIAC Championship teams.
“Driving home last night after contemplating something that happened in yesterday’s game, I was looking forward to the alums coming down here today even more so because they really have a sense of ownership in the program and I think that resonates through our whole team,” Carroll said.
The Gusties have Thanksgiving weekend off and then face Bethel in a MIAC series Dec. 1-2.