The Gustavus Women’s Hockey team continued its dominance last weekend with two wins over the Bethel Royals as they extend their win streak to three games.  With these two wins, the seventh-ranked Gusties hold a record of 6-1-1.

Last Friday, the Gusties traveled to Blaine, MN to take on Bethel in the first game of their two-game series.  After both teams failed to get on the board in the opening period, the Gusties struck first in the second period.  About halfway through the period, Junior Allie Stanger gave Gustavus the lead with an unassisted goal, her first of the season.  The one-goal lead remained heading into the final period of play.

“Our competition level and willingness to win battles in tight spaces was a little disappointing, especially in the second period.  We seem to have some lessons still to learn in that area, but the nice silver lining was that our goalie played great in the second period and kept them at bay.” Head Coach Mike Carroll said.

In the third, Bethel tied the game up just three minutes in, but it was all Gustavus from there on out.  Senior Laine Fischer regained the lead for the Gusties less than two minutes later with assists from Stanger and Junior Laura Johnson.  Then, with 11:06 remaining in the game, Senior Kaitlyn Klein scored her team-leading sixth goal of the season with assists from Sophomore Amelia Vosen and Junior Marina Chapman.  The Gusties held on for the rest of the game to secure a 3-1 victory.

“We can control our attitude and effort as we game plan during the week, and if we do those things we’re going to do well most of the time. Our attitude was okay tonight, but our effort was not where it needs to be,” Coach Carroll said. Clearly, the returning Division III Coach of the Year holds his team to high standards standards, regardless of their results. “It was a nice hard-fought win on the road, but it wasn’t a 60-minute effort,” he commented after the game.

On Saturday, the Gusties returned to St. Peter to host the Royals in the second game of the series.  The first period of game two mirrored that of the night before in that neither team was able to score.  Once again, Gustavus scored the first goal of the game, as Laine Fischer scored 5:36 into the second period.  Fischer’s second goal of the series came off of assists from Stanger and Vosen.  Kaitlyn Klein found the net once again with just under four minutes left in the second period to give the Gusties a 2-0 lead.  This time, Seniors Erica Power and Diana Draayer set up the goal.

“We picked it up the last half of the second period and got a couple goals.  I think that relaxed the girls a little bit and they started playing with more energy” Carroll said after the game.

In the third, the Gusties kept their momentum going as Stanger netted another goal about six minutes in.  Klein and Sophomore Kristen Cash were responsible for assists.  The Gusties scored their fourth and final goal of the game four minutes later as Cash beat the Bethel Goalie while Draayer and Sophomore Paulina Scheid were credited for assists.  Despite two goals from Bethel in the final 2:23 of the game, the Gusties held on for the sweep by a final score of 4-2.

“Getting up 4-0 was huge, but a little disappointing giving up two late, especially as well as Amanda [DiNella] played, but a win’s a win,” Coach Carroll said. DiNella recorded 16 saves on 18 shots for her sixth win of the season.

On Dec. 6, the Gusties took to the ice again at home, playing No. 5 ranked UW-River Falls. The last time these two teams met, the Gusties won a dramatic 3-2 game in the NCAA Quarterfinals last year.

“Playing good hockey teams, win or lose, you’re going to be a better hockey team for it and it’s a good measuring stick for regions to know where we’re at. Hopefully these two games will make us better and prepare us for when we come back to conference play after Christmas break,” Carroll said.

At time of print, the Gusties were hosting the No. 5 UW-River Falls team in a national top ten battle.

The Gusties will travel to River Falls, WI on Saturday for a second match against this tough opponent.