ST. PAUL, Minn. – The St. Scholastica women's hockey team traveled to St. Paul this afternoon, taking on the Wildcats from St. Catherine University in the season finale. After the Saints jumped out to a 2-1 lead, the Auggies clawed their way back to take a 3-2 lead. Two late goals would give CSS a one-goal lead midway through the third period. Following a late goal to tie things at 4-4, CSS would ultimately come away with a victory in a shootout, recording a 4-4 tie in today's action. 

How it Happened

First Period

It didn't take long for the Saints to break the scoreless tie, as just over a minute into the period, Hanley Block (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria HS) scored her first goal of the season, giving CSS an early 1-0 lead. 

The Wildcats responded quickly, however, as less than 30 seconds later the Wildcats tied things up at 1-1. 

After the Saints were held silent on their first powerplay of the afternoon, the Wildcats would quickly commit another penalty and give the Saints an opportunity to reclaim the lead. In the later stages of the period, Gabby Gamst (Moose Lake, Minn./Moose Lake HS) snuck one past the Wildcats defense, assisted by Taylor Leonard (Mound, Minn./Mound Westonka HS) and Kendra Royer (Duluth, Minn./Duluth Marshall HS), giving the Saints a 2-1 lead. 

St. Scholastica was handed a minor penalty moments later, and despite Makenzie Cole (Cohasset, Minn./Grand Rapids HS) recording four shots on the powerplay, the Wildcats were able to score the tying goal with just 58 seconds to play in the period, as the game sat deadlocked at 2-2 after one period. 

Second Period

Isabella Brama (Minneapolis, Minn./Academy of Holy Angels) and Gamst both took early opportunities to try to give themselves another lead, but both shots would be denied just minutes into the period. 

The Wildcats would go on the powerplay once again at the 3:39 mark in the period, and roughly a minute into the powerplay, St. Kate's took their first lead of the contest, leading 3-2 in the early stages of the second period. 

CSS would be able to kill off another penalty midway through the period, as they looked for the equalizer with the game sitting at 3-2 in favor of the Wildcats. 

At the 17:24 mark in the period, the Saints would find the goal they had been searching for, as Paige Blattner (Avon, Minn./River Lakes HS) scored her first goal of the season, with an assist going to Gamst and tying things back at 3-3 heading into the third period. 

Third Period

Early on in the period, CSS got an early shot on goal from Annica Walters (Albertville, MN/St. Michael-Albertville HS), looking to give CSS momentum, but the Wildcats would deny the opportunity. 

St. Scholastica was handed a five-minute major penalty at the 3:21 mark in the period, and on the penalty kill, Cole remained in control for CSS, stopping three shots, as the game remained tied at 3-3. 

With the WIldcats being handed a minor penalty, the Saints had a chance to reclaim the lead midway through the period. A minute into the powerplay, the Saints did not disappoint, as Lyndi Schubert (Mantorville, Minn./Kasson-Mantorville HS) would give CSS a lead, with the assist going to Sophie Parendo (Proctor, Minn./Proctor HS) with 9:13 to play in the period. 

The Saints' late chances to expand their lead were set by the Wildcats, and at the 18:12 point in the period, the Wildcats would score a late goal with an extra attacker on the ice, tying things back at 4-4, as the contest would head to overtime. 

Overtime & Shootout

Cole was able to make key saves for the Saints in the overtime period, making three saves, while the Saints were turned away on their four shots. With no change, the game would head to a shootout. 

Victoria Nelson (Mahtomedi, MN/Mahtomedi HS) scored on the Saints' first attempt in the shootout, followed by a trio of saves by Cole before Parendo would score to propel the Saints past the Wildcats in the shootout period, however the final score is recorded as a 4-4 tie. 

End of Season

The Saints finished the 2024-25 season with a record of 5-19-1, with a conference record of 3-14-1, failing to qualify for the MIAC playoffs. CSS will say goodbye to seniors Taylor Leonard (Mound, Minn./Mound Westonka HS) and Sara Parent (Otsego, Minn./Rogers HS). For more updates on the St. Scholastica women's hockey program, keep tuned to www.csssaints.com