DULUTH, Minn. – Morgan Mitchell (Farmington, MN/) scored just 22 seconds into overtime and Grace Kemp (Woodbury, MN/) recorded an 18-save shutout as the St. Scholastica women's hockey team opened its season with a 1-0 victory over Lawrence Friday night.
The Saints outshot the Vikings 49-18 but were held scoreless through regulation by Lawrence goaltender Sarah Dobrzynski. After killing off a penalty that carried into overtime, St. Scholastica broke through on Mitchell's unassisted goal to secure the season-opening win.
CSS established an early advantage in shots, putting 17 on net in the first period while allowing just five. Dobrzynski turned aside each attempt, and Kemp matched her at the other end to keep the game scoreless heading into the first intermission.
The Saints added 13 shots in the second period, while Kemp stopped eight Lawrence attempts. St. Scholastica also killed off two penalties in the period, helping preserve the scoreless tie through 40 minutes.
CSS continued to press in the third, outshooting Lawrence 18-5. Ashlyn Paukert (Northfield, MN/) hit the pipe during a power play, and Greta Culshaw-Klein (Maplewood, MN/) caught the iron with just over two minutes remaining in regulation.
A Saints penalty with 1:53 left gave Lawrence a late opportunity, but Kemp made three saves in the final 24 seconds of regulation to help force overtime. CSS finished the penalty kill seven seconds into the extra period, and Mitchell delivered the winner 15 seconds later.
Alaina Hedberg (St. Paul, MN/) led St. Scholastica with 10 shots on goal, including six in the third period. Sophie Parendo (Proctor, MN/) and Eloise DeBus (Northfield, MN/) added five apiece. The Saints also won 37 of 59 faceoffs, led by Haylee Melquist's (Moorhead, MN/) 16 wins in 22 draws. Mitchell and Hannah Von Haden (Green Bay, WI/) each won 10 faceoffs.
St. Scholastica held Lawrence scoreless on all four power-play opportunities and finished 0-for-3 with the advantage. Dobrzynski recorded 48 saves for the Vikings.
The Saints begin the season 1-0-0, while Lawrence opens at 0-1-0.
