Duluth, Minn. – The Saint Scholastica Women's hockey team hosted the Gustavus Adolphus College Gusties in yet another MIAC Conference series. Tonight's game saw the Saints claim their third consecutive win, overpowering the Gusties 5-,3 led by Morgan Mitchel,l who recorded a hat trick to seal the game.
How it Happened
First Period
The night opened with an early test as Gustavus found the net just 57 seconds into the game.
At 5:36 of the first period, Morgan Mitchell (Farmington, MN/Farmington HS) answered with authority, finishing a strong even-strength opportunity off a feed from Alaina Hedberg (St. Paul, MN/Tartan HS) to tie the game 1–1. The goal immediately shifted momentum back to the Saints, and they spent much of the remainder of the period generating quality looks.
Makenzie Cole (Cohasset, MN/Grand Rapids HS) stood tall during a mid-period Gustavus power play, turning aside multiple shots while the Saints' penalty kill unit blocked lanes and cleared rebounds. The opening frame ended tied, but CSS had firmly settled into the contest.
Second Period
At 9:51, Hanley Block (Alexandria, MN/Alexandria HS) buried an even-strength goal off assists from Victoria Nelson (Mahtomedi, MN/Mahtomedi HS) and Greta Culshaw-Klein (Maplewood, MN/Tartan HS), giving the Saints their first lead of the night at 2–1. The Saints continued to press, winning key puck battles and keeping the Gusties on their heels.
Just under five minutes later, Mitchell struck again. At 14:39, she finished off a setup from Sophie Parendo (Proctor, MN/Proctor HS) to extend the lead to 3–1. The Saints' balanced attack and relentless forecheck created sustained pressure, while Cole remained composed in net, turning aside every Gustavus push.
After two periods, St. Scholastica carried a confident 3–1 advantage into the locker room.
Third Period
Gustavus trimmed the lead early in the third at 4:38, but the Saints maintained their strength.
With the game tightening late, Mitchell delivered the dagger. At 16:30, she completed her hat trick — and secured the game-winning goal — finishing a clutch play with Grace Chapman (Blaine, MN/Blaine HS) picking up the assist. The milestone goal marked Mitchell's third of the night and eighth of the season, capping a dominant individual performance.
Moments later, with Gustavus pulling its goalie for the extra attacker, Lyndi Schubert (Mantorville, MN/Kasson-Mantorville HS) sealed the victory with an unassisted empty-net goal at 19:06, pushing the Saints' lead to 5–2.
Gustavus added a late power-play goal in the final seconds, but the outcome was never in doubt. The Saints controlled the final faceoff and skated off with a well-earned 5–3 win.
Goaltending
Saints, Makenzie Cole (Cohasset, MN/Grand Rapids HS): Played 60:00, faced 48 shots, recorded 45 saves, save percentage of .937.
Gusties, Lily Timmons: Played 57:31, faced 26 shots, recorded 22 saves, save percentage of .846.
What's Next
The Saints (9-11-2, 4-8-2 MIAC) will travel south to Saint Peter, Minn. to play in the second of this two-game series against the Gusties (11-9-2, 8-5-2 MIAC) this Saturday, February 14. The game is scheduled for 2:00 PM.
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