SAINT PETER, Minn. – The No. 6-ranked Gustavus women’s hockey team completed the series sweep over St. Olaf on Saturday afternoon with a 4-0 win at Don Roberts Ice Rink. The decision gave Head Coach Mike Carroll his 450th career victory, which is the second most all time in NCAA Division III women’s hockey.
“It feels pretty old,” Carroll said with a smirk when asked about his 450th win. “It’s always good. When you have good assistant coaches and good players, it’s something that I’ll probably appreciate later.”
With less than one minute remaining in the first period, Clara Billings (Jr., Rochester) gave the Gusties a 1-0 lead with the help of Emily Olson (Jr., Delano).
Fifteen minutes into the second frame, Emily Howard (Fy., Savage) scored her first career goal, assisted by Steph Anderson (Sr., Blaine). Just over a minute later, Olson increased the lead to 3-0 with an assist going to Billings.
Brooke Power (So., Lakeville) put the finishing touches on the victory with her fourth goal of the series with 2:27 remaining in the game. Olson was credited with her second assist of the game and fifth of the series.
“I think in both games this weekend we got off a little bit sluggish but started to build momentum, created opportunities, and stayed patient,” Carroll said. “We didn’t get too frustrated because we weren’t burying our chances. Then we had some really good hockey plays. I thought our speed was evident both nights, especially towards the end of today’s game.”
Gustavus controlled the pace of play, outshooting the Oles 45-4. Once again Katie McCoy (Jr., Grafton, Wis.) and Maria Widen (Fy., Burnsville) split time in goal with McCoy making three saves and Widen one.
Gustavus, now 10-2 overall and 6-0 in the MIAC, hits the road next weekend for a two-game MIAC series at Concordia.