Notables
-First game in 328 days for CSS
-Win snaps three-game winless streak to the Auggies
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (
csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica women's hockey team got three goals from players appearing in their first collegiate game, including
Lizzie Northquest's (Blaine, Minn./Spring Lake Park HS) game-winner at the midway point of the third period, to lift the Saints to a 5-3 victory over Augsburg University Friday night to open the 2020-21 season.
How it Happened
The Auggies had the lone goal of the first period, scoring on their first shot on net less than five minutes in. The Saints had three power-plays in the period, although they combined for a total of less than three minutes.
The second period saw the Saints get out-shot 20-11, but out-score the Auggies 3-1 on the scoreboard. After CSS killed off an Augsburg power-play, junior
Kayla Kasel (Forest Lake, Minn./Forest Lake HS) netted the first St. Scholastica goal of the year with assists from
Rachel Anderson (Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View HS) and Northquest.
Then 28 seconds later, first-year forward
Allie Bussey (Hibbing, Minn./Hibbing HS) gave the Saints the lead with
Lauryn Hull (Kimberly, Wis./Kimberly HS) and
Courtney Bloemke (Nicollet, Minn./Mankato West HS) adding the assists. However, the Auggies tied it up at 2-2 less than a minute later.
CSS regained the lead with six minutes remaining in the period as another first-year forward
Ashley Healy (White Bear Lake, Minn./White Bear Lake HS) found the net to make it 3-2 at the second intermission.
Augsburg tied the contest once again with a power-play goal early in the third. But with 9:21 remaining, Northquest gave the Saints the lead for good with another assist from Bloemke. The Auggies could not stay out of the penalty box after the goal with three penalties in the final eight minutes.
It wouldn't be until the waning moments until the Saints scored on the power-play, which would also be an empty-net goal by
Abby Pohlkamp (Baxter, Minn./Brainerd HS) to make the final score 5-3.
Goaltending
Lori Huseby (Babbitt, Minn./Northeast Range HS) had 34 saves, including 19 saves in the second period alone, to earn the victory for the Saints. Abby Bollig left the game in the second period after 12 saves and her replacement Mara McClain had 11 saves, but picked up the loss.
Up Next
Both teams meet again Saturday night at Mars Lakeview Arena for St. Scholastica's home opener. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.
