SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s hockey team completed the series sweep over Saint Ben’s on Saturday afternoon with a 5-0 win at Don Roberts Ice Rink. The sixth-ranked Gusties have now posted six consecutive shutouts, improving to 7-0 overall and 6-0 in the MIAC. The shutout streak of six games is tied for the second longest streak in program history and just one away from the record of seven, set during the 2008-09 season.
“We didn’t really click this weekend the way we have earlier in the season but we survived and did some good things,” Head Coach Mike Carroll said. “Saint Ben’s did a nice job of clogging up the net and using their sticks and we need to fight through that physicality and embrace that part of the game.”
An interference call just 38 seconds into the game gave the Gusties an early power play opportunity and Steph Anderson (Sr., Blaine) took advantage with a goal at the 1:14 mark, assisted by Emily Olson (Jr., Delano). Nearly 15 minutes passed before Anderson scored her second goal of the afternoon with the help of Clara Billings (Jr., Rochester).
Sophia Coltvet (So., Arden Hills) tallied her first goal of the season 10:33 into the second period for a 3-0 Gusties lead, which held through to the second intermission.
The Gusties added two insurance goals in the finals five minutes of the game as Hailey Holland (Jr., Aberdeen, S.D.) scored with 4:10 left, assisted by Tina Press (Sr., Cottage Grove), and Rachel Wieland (Fy., Rice) picked up her first career goal with 1:20 remaining, helped by Coltvet and Hannah Gray (Fy., Stillwater).
The Gusties outshot the Bennies 23-13 as Katie McCoy (Jr., Grafton, Wis.) made all 13 saves in goal for her sixth straight shutout victory. McCoy is now the program record holder for most consecutive goalie shutouts.
“Katie has played really well and was solid again today,” Carroll said. “A few times when we made a mistake she was cool and calm and made nice saves and gave our forwards and defenders time to weather the storm.”
Gustavus next has a home-home series against UW-River Falls on Wednesday and Saturday. Wednesday night’s game is in Saint Peter and Saturday afternoon is played in River Falls, Wis.