Despite being ranked #1 in the national polls, there is a historic demon on the horizon, looking to spoil Gustavus’ momentum
In the winter of 2005, when the current Gustie senior class was still filling out their high school uniforms, the Gustavus Women’s Hockey team went 25-4-1 on their way to their fourth conference title in the program’s history. Led by Sophomore tandem Andrea Peterson and Kelly Crandall, the Gusties beat St. Thomas in two overtimes to claim both the regular season and play-off MIAC Championships. Following a 3-0 victory against rival UW-Steven’s Point in their rink, Gustavus ran into a buzz saw in the form of a 7-3 loss to Middlebury, a program in the midst of the second of their eventual National Championship three-peat, before beating Plattsburgh State 3-0 in the third place game.
The following winter, Coach Mike Carroll had nine first-year players on his roster, six of whom saw time in every game. Two of the diaper-dandy skaters finished in the top five on their team in points, while four more contributed in a big way for the black and gold. That year, 2005-2006, the Gusties won their second consecutive MIAC title, eventually falling to Steven’s Point in their second straight appearance in the national third place game.
Over the time they’ve spent skating on top of the hill, these now-seniors (only Mari Gunderson, Jenny Pusch, Jessie Doig and Christine Wicker remain) boast an overall record of 88-12-5, with an astonishing 64-1-3 mark in conference play. They have won three consecutive MIAC titles and currently sit atop the liberal arts college heap, ahead of St. Thomas by a single point.
Though their play has sparked deserved excitement on campus, the Gusties have an upcoming test that will give a good indication of how good this team really is. In a game devoid of conference implications, their upcoming showdown with heated rival UW-Steven’s Point may set this year’s team apart from those of the past that looked promising, yet couldn’t find a way to reach the highest point.
In 2005, Gustavus split a non-conference home and home series with Steven’s Point in the regular season, only to prevail 3-0 to bounce the Pointers from the tournament a year after losing in the championship game. Since then, the Gusties are 1-6-2 against Steven’s Point, including two season-ending losses (one in the previously mentioned ’05 third place game, the other in the following season in the Quarterfinals). Last season, the Pointers handed the Gusties two of their three losses of the season en route to finishing in third place.
The Gusties will spend this weekend at home against fourth-seeded Concordia in a pivotal series for both teams before heading to Steven’s Point to play on Tuesday of next week. Despite all of the acclimades and praise surrounding this team, Gustavus needs to walk away from their house with a victory, not for what it will say in the standings, but for what momentum it will supply going into the tournament. Following Tuesday’s game, Gustavus will play a home and home with basement-dwelling Hamline in the final series of the regular season. While a clean sweep would assure the Gusties their fifth consecutive MIAC title, the main intrigue is their ability to sustain momentum and compete with Division III heavyweights Plattsburgh and Middlebury. In order to hoist the ever-elusive championship hardware above their heads come March 4, an emotional win over a rival such as Steven’s Point may just be the push needed to capture the first national championship in the history of the program. Could you imagine the celebration?