Duluth, MN - The Saint Scholastica Saints women's hockey team competed against the Bethel Royals in a MIAC conference matchup. Despite being in a stalemate in the first and majority of the second period, Grace Chapman (Blaine, MN/Blaine HS) took the lead for the Saints in the dying minutes of the second period. Two more goals from Taylor Leonard (Mound, Minn./Mound Westonka HS) and Jenna Horvat (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS) secured the 3-0 win for the Saints in the final period. Makenzie Cole (Cohasset, Minn./Grand Rapids HS) recorded a season-high 60 saves to earn a shutout victory.
How it Happened
1st Period
The Saints began their matchup against the Royals on the defensive; however, early shots by Morgan Mitchell (Farmington, MN/Farmington HS) and Jolynn Hauan (Hutchinson, MN/Hutchinson HS) set the tone for the game.
Around 15 minutes in, the Saints took advantage of a power play to push for a goal, with attempts from Hanley Block (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria HS), Victoria Nelson (Mahtomedi, MN/Mahtomedi HS), and Lyndi Schubert (Mantorville, Minn./Kasson-Mantorville HS) energizing the team to keep pressing for the lead.
However, by the end of the period, the Saints faced heavy offensive pressure and were out-shot 21 to 6. Goalkeeper Makenzie Cole (Cohasset, Minn./Grand Rapids HS) held strong, successfully keeping the Royals off the scoreboard.
Despite their efforts, the first period ended in a 0–0 deadlock.
2nd Period
Jenna Horvat (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS) opened the period with the Saints' first shot, maintaining the team's momentum. At 5:38, Cole made a pivotal double save to keep the score level.
The Saints nearly took the lead at 8:30 when Taylor Leonard (Mound, Minn./Mound Westonka HS) and Paige Blattner (Avon, Minn./River Lakes HS) fired off three close-range shots during a power play, but the Royals cleared the puck off the line just in time.
With only 1:45 left in the period, Grace Chapman (Blaine, MN/Blaine HS) broke the deadlock, scoring with assists from Hanley Block (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria HS) and Sophie Parendo (Proctor, Minn./Proctor HS) to give the Saints a crucial lead. Moments later, Cole delivered another key save, which preserved the advantage heading into the final period.
3rd Period
The Saints came close to extending their lead just over three minutes into the third period when Victoria Nelson (Mahtomedi, MN/Mahtomedi HS) nearly capitalized on a misstep by Bethel's goalie, but the shot was cleared off the line.
Shortly after, at 4:58, Leonard found the back of the net, doubling the Saints' lead to 2-0 and putting them in a stronger position to secure the win.
The game was sealed at 16:09 when Horvat scored from the halfway line after Bethel pulled their goalie. Horvat's goal, assisted by Mitchell, put the result beyond doubt.
Despite Bethel's continued attempts to press with an empty net, the Saints nearly added to their lead on multiple occasions but couldn't further widen the margin.
Cole capped off the game with an impressive season-high 60 saves, earning a shutout victory against the Royals.
Up Next - The Saint Scholastica women's hockey team (4-13-0, 2-8-0 MIAC) will travel for their next game to Winona, MN on Friday, January 31 for their next conference matchup against St. Mary's University. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.
