Winona, MN - The Saints Scholastica women's hockey team traveled to Winona, MN tonight to play a conference matchup against the Cardinals of Saint Mary's University. Goals from Victoria Nelson (Mahtomedi, MN/Mahtomedi HS) and Lyndi Schubert (Mantorville, Minn./Kasson-Mantorville HS) were not enough as the Saints lost to the Cardinals 5-2.

How it Happened

1st Period

The Saints began the game on the defensive, as Makenzie Cole (Cohasset, Minn./Grand Rapids HS) faced flurries of shots from the Saint Mary's offense, but was able to stop them successfully.

Taylor Leonard (Mound, Minn./Mound Westonka HS) and Gabby Gamst (Moose Lake, Minn./Moose Lake HS) tallied the first shots for the Saints around five minutes in, but were not able to break through the Cardinal's defense in the opening minutes. 

Despite the Saints' efforts, the Cardinals struck twice in quick succession in the seventh minute, breaking the deadlock and securing a 2-0 lead.

Sara Parent (Otsego, Minn./Rogers HS) was able to register another shot for the Saints a couple minutes later on a power play, but was saved by the Cardinal's goalie.

At 11:52, Victoria Nelson (Mahtomedi, MN/Mahtomedi HS) pulled one back for the Saints, assisted by Sophie Parendo (Proctor, Minn./Proctor HS) and Hanley Block (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria HS). The Saints responded with urgency, pushing for an equalizer, with Block firing another shot soon after, but it was denied.

The Cardinals were able to increase their deficit again with two quick goals at 18:27 and 19:07 to finish the period with a 4-1 lead.

2nd Period

The Saints opened the second period on the defensive once again, holding strong for the first five minutes to stay in the game.

Around the five-minute mark, consecutive shots from freshman Grace Chapman (Blaine, MN/Blaine HS) and Gabby Gamst (Moose Lake, Minn./Moose Lake HS) kept the pressure on, but the Cardinals' goalie denied them another goal.

The Saints then launched an extended offensive push, with scoring attempts from Nelson, Addie Mach (Chanhassen, MN/Chanhassen HS), Bailey Coole (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS), and Jenna Horvat (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS) as they fought to close the gap.

With seven minutes remaining in the period, the Cardinals earned a power play but were unable to extend their lead, as Cole made several key saves.

The period concluded with one final offensive push from Suzi Vidmar (Boise, Idaho./Timberline HS) and Parendo, but they were unable to convert. The second period remained scoreless, with Cole recording 11 saves.

3rd Period

The final period started evenly, with both teams exchanging offensive pushes in the opening minutes.

The Cardinals would get a power play to capitalize on and followed up with a flurry of attacks, but were unable to take advantage.

At 8:51, the Cardinals stretched their lead to 5-1 to secure the win. However, shortly after at 9:10, Lyndi Schubert (Mantorville, Minn./Kasson-Mantorville HS) would go on to score the second for the Saints to make it 5-2, assisted by Nelson.

Following the goal, both teams struggled to get any more further chances as the game concluded as a 5-2 loss for the Saints.

Up Next 

The Saints women's hockey team (4-14-0, 2-9-0 MIAC) will have their next game tomorrow, February 1 against the Cardinals of Saint Mary's University again in Winona, MN. Puck drop is scheduled for 2 p.m.