University of St. Thomas Athletics
10-7-5, 9-1-5MIAC
Gustavus Adolphus
18-2-2, 14-0-1MIAC
Women's hockey topped by Gustavus, 5-2
2/13/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. – The St. Thomas women's hockey team allowed three power play goals and fell to Gustavus by the final score of 5-2 on Friday night at St. Thomas Ice Arena. The Tommies trailed 3-1 after the first period and would not be able to climb out of the hole, as they drop to 10-8-4 on the year and 9-2-4 in the MIAC. Meanwhile, Gustavus improves to 18-2-2 overall and 14-0-1 in league play, clinching the regular season conference title for the 10th time in the past 11 years.
Gustavus jumped out to the early lead midway through the first period when Carolyn Draayer scored shorthanded at 7:37 of the frame. The goal gave the Gusties a 1-0 lead before senior Tara Baago answered for the Tommies with a shorthanded goal of her own. The goal was Baago's 13th of the year and came with an assist from Courtney Umland to even the score 1-1.
However, the Gusties came back to score four unanswered goals to dash an hopes the Tommies may have had to capture the win. Gustavus got goals from Lydia Wagner and Keri Pickel in the remainder of the first period before Katie Aney and Marissa Brandt scored in the second to give their team the 5-1 lead. Of the four goals, three came on power play chances.
St. Thomas got the final goal of the game from Hannah Bird with just two minutes remaining in regulation. It was Bird's second goal of the year and stamped the score final at 5-2.
For the game, Gustavus outshot the Tommies 40-26 and converted 3-of-5 power play chances, which proved to be the difference in the contest, while St. Thomas was held scoreless on just one opportunity with the advantage.
Tommie goaltender Taylor Neisen was tagged with the loss in an 11-save effort and drops to 4-5-2 on the year. Paige Kittelson came in to relieve Neisen in the second period and allowed just one goal, making 24 saves. Lindsey Hibbard recorded the win for Gustavus.
These two teams will be back in action again tomorrow afternoon, as they travel to St. Peter for game two of the MIAC series. That game is scheduled for a 2:00 p.m., start.
