Notables
-Tilander records her second goal of the season
-Klaas scores a goal and adds an assist
-Thomeczek records first shutout of the season
-Marian has yet to score this season

DULUTH, Minn. (csssaints.com) -- The St. Scholastica women's hockey team opened Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) play with a 3-0 win over Marian University (Wis.) at Mars Lakeview Arena on Friday. 

How it Happened
Both teams were not able to get many quality chances in the first 20 minutes of action with the Sabres () having a slight edge in shots at 10-9. 

It appeared as though we would be scoreless through two periods until CSS opened the scoring with just over three minutes to play in the second period through a goal by Amber Tilander (International Falls, Minn./Falls HS) that was assisted by Paige Forsman (Cokato, Minn./Dassel-Cokato HS) and Mariah Haedrich (Hermantown, Minn./Hermantown HS). With just under a minute to go in the period, the Saints were able to take advantage of a 5-on-3 when Kayla Kasel (Forest Lake, Minn./Forest Lake HS) added the second goal of the game for the Saints. Alexia Klaas (Duluth, Minn./Duluth Denfeld HS (Minnesota-Duluth)) and Taylor Thompson (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo HS) were credited with the assists. 

In the third period, Marian would out-shoot CSS 12-6, but it was the Saints who were able to get on the board. With just over a minute remaining and the Marian goaltender pulled, Kennedy Halverson (Proctor, Minn./Proctor HS) set up Klass for the Saints' third and final goal of the game. 

Goaltending
Lexi Thomeczek (St. Louis, Mo./St. Joseph Academy (St. Louis AAA Blues)) saved all of the 28 shots she faced in net for the Saints. Lindsey Strainis saved 20 of the 23 shots she faced for the Sabres.

Up Next
The Saints (2-0-1, 1-0-0 NCHA) wrap up the series again Marian (0-3-0, 0-1-0 NCHA) on Saturday at Mars Lakeview Arena. Puck drop is set for 4 p.m.