University of St. Thomas Athletics
Minnesota State
Game Notes -- Women's Hockey locks back into WCHA play after dominant weekend at Lindenwood
11/18/2022 12:19:00 PM | Women's Hockey
Game One Recap
Maryland Heights, Mo. – Gabby Bllling and Saskia Maurer, among the standouts, as women's hockey completed a full team-effort in handing Lindenwood a 4-1 loss on the road on Thursday.
Before the fans at the Centene Community Ice Center could get comfortable in their seats Gabby Billing put the puck by Lindenwood goaltender Natalie Ferenc, her third of the season. The goal came on the power play and was assisted by Anna Solheim and Haley Maxwell.
The Lions came back midway through the opening period notching a goal passed Saskia Maurer on a grade-a two-on-one breakaway play. St. Thomas kept up the pressure all period long outshooting Lindenwood 16-10.
Just under halfway through period two Maija Almich put away her second of the season on a beautiful shot from deep inside the right circle. Almich's goal was set up by a pass from Gabby Billing.
Lindenwood's undisciplined play gave the Tommies five opportunities on the power play in the second frame. Only Lotti Odnoga was able to put one in the net on the power play and she did so on a violently struck puck off a pass from Maddy Clough. Also assisting on the play was Gabby Billing for her third point of the day.
St. Thomas added one more goal at even strength in the final period with Maddy Clough rearing back and blasting one by the Lindenwood goaltender.
St. Thomas outshot Lindenwood 45-25 and were two for eight on power play opportunities.
Saskia Maurer commanded a defense that allowed just one goal and went a perfect three for three on the penalty kill. The sophomore netminder made 24 saves (.960 SV%).
Game Two Recap
Maryland Heights, Mo. -- St. Thomas received points from 10 different players and Saskia Maurer stopped 22 of 25 shots in Friday's 5-3 Women's Hockey road victory over Lindenwood University.
Friday's win and Thursday's 4-1 victory capped a two-day series sweep for the Purple (3-9) and avenged last season's two losses to the Lions.
This is St. Thomas' first series sweep of the season and just the second of its Division I era. Friday's five goals and the series total of nine goals scored are both St. Thomas bests for the young D-I era (45 games, 23 series).
Anna Promersberger and Allie Monrean scored goals in the game's opening five minutes to stake the Toms to a 2-0 lead.
Lindenwood scored a pair to tie the contest, but Maddie Jurgensen scored midway through period two for a 3-2 Purple advantage.
Maija Almich scored early in the third frame for what proved to be the winning goal and a 4-2 Tommie lead.
The Lions scored a power-play goal midway through period three to cut the lead to 4-3, but Maddy Clough iced the game with an empty-net score with 64 seconds remaining.
Abby Promersberger contributed two assists, and Jurgensen had an assist along with her goal for a two-point game.
Maurer had two victories in goal and improved her career goalie record to 6-12-0. She stopped 46 of 50 shots in the series.
Scouting the Mavericks
The Tommies faced Minnesota State Mankato last month.
The Tommies fell 1-3 and 0-2 in those two contests.
Minnesota State had an off weekend last weekend, but played Sacred Heart on November 4-5. Mankato defeated Sacred Heart 4-1 and 5-1 on home ice.
Jamie Nelson leads the Mavericks in points this season with three goals and eight assists in 10 games played.
Series History
Minnesota State has won all six meetings since St. Thomas' promotion to Division I.
Earlier this season Minnesota State took both games in a home-and-home series against the Tommies by scores of 3-1 and 2-0.
