Notables
-Sawyer records 50th career goal
-CSS improves to 6-0-2 at Mars Lakeview Arena
-CSS clinches home ice for first round of NCHA Playoffs.
-Shots on Goal: CSS-42, MU-19
DULUTH, Minn. (
csssaints.com) - The St. Scholastica women's hockey team defeated Trine University (Ind.) 7-1 Friday night at Mars Lakeview Arena. This was the first meeting between the two programs.
First Period
In the first period, St. Scholastica scored three goals. Six minutes in,
Mac Johnson (Monticello, Minn./Monticello HS (St. Cloud State)) got St. Scholastica started, with the assist from
Lindsey Wright (Anchorage, Alaska/Grace Christian HS (Team Alaska U19)). M. Johnson's fifth goal of the season put the Saints at an early 1-0 lead.
A minute later,
Kaleigh Hamann (St. Michael, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville HS) and
Rachel Anderson (Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View HS) assisted
Abby Sawyer (Owatonna, Minn./Owatonna HS) for the second goal of the game. For Sawyer it was her 50th career goal.
Now at 2-0,
Greta Nundahl (New Brighton, Minn./Irondale HS) and
Sam Gorecki (Homer Glen, Ill./Providence Catholic (Chicago Fury)) kept the momentum going by assisting
Emily Stegora (Red Wing, Minn./Red Wing HS (Minnesota State-Mankato)) who finished with highlight-reel goal. Stegora's goal with two minutes left in the first extended St. Scholastica's lead to 3-0 going into the second period.
Second Period
St. Scholastica added three more goals in the second period. Four minutes, in
Alexia Klaas (Duluth, Minn./Duluth Denfeld HS (Minnesota-Duluth)) scored unassisted, strengthening the lead to 4-0. A minute later, CSS was given the first power play opportunity of the game after a penalty was called on Trine for checking. The Saints shot twice, but were unable to score.
With less than eight minutes remaining, M. Johnson scored her second goal of the game to put the Saints ahead 5-0.
The third goal of the period came from Sawyer, with the assist from Anderson and Gorecki. Sawyer's second goal of the game made the score 6-0 going into the second intermission.
Third Period
Almost midway into the period, CSS was given a second power play opportunity. Klaas took full advantage, scoring for the second time, with the assist from Stegora and
Taylor Thompson (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo HS). St. Scholastica's power play goal extended the lead to a strong 7-0.
About 40 seconds later, Trine broke through St. Scholastica's defense and scored on a delayed penalty, cutting the Saints lead to 7-1. That is where the score finished with the Saints clinching home ice for the first round of the NCHA Slaats Cup Playoffs.
Goaltending
St. Scholastica's
Lexi Thomeczek (St. Louis, Mo./St. Joseph Academy (St. Louis AAA Blues)) saved 18 out of 19 shots she faced. Trine's Molly Scarborough played the first two periods, stopping 28 out of 34 shots. Ryan Harth played the third period, and stopped 8 of 9 shots.
Up Next
The Saints (13-4-4, 12-1-2 NCHA) play the second game in the two-game series against Trine as St. Scholastica celebrates Senior Day. Puck drop is scheduled for Saturday at 4 p.m.
