The Gustie women defeated Bethel 3-0 in the MIAC Championship game last Saturday afternoon to earn the MIAC’s automatic bid into the NCAA tournament. The Gusties peppered Bethel’s goalie Jess Newstrom with 34 shots as they outshot the Royals 34-8.

Junior goaltender Danielle Justice recorded her seventh shutout of the season. The Gusties got two goals from Junior Allie Schwab, including an empty net with nine seconds left. Sophomore Jenna Christenson scored the other goal for the Gusties.

The Women’s Hockey team will now face a familiar opponent in the NCAA tournament in UW-River Falls. The Gusties will try to avenge an away loss to the Falcons by a score of 4-2 earlier this season. In 2009, the Falcons eliminated the Gusties in St. Peter, while Gustavus defeated UW-River Falls 2-0 last year on the way to hosting the NCAA Women’s Division III Hockey Championship last March.

The Gusties will travel to Hunt Arena in River Falls, Wis. to face the Falcons at 7:00 p.m. tonight.