MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. – The St. Thomas Women's Hockey team faced the No. 9-ranked St. Cloud State in an exciting WCHA match up on Saturday evening.
After scoring four goals in the third period, the Tommies earned their first regulation win over a top-10 opponent in the DI era. St. Thomas topped St. Cloud State 5-1 in the historic win.
RECAP
St. Cloud State opened scoring in the first period of game two, scoring the only goal through the first half of the game.
There were no penalties assessed through the first 30 minutes of play, until St. Thomas was sent to the box for interference. The Tommies successfully killed off this penalty, allowing only one shot on goal during St. Cloud State's player advantage.
The second period remained scoreless, until with just over four minutes remaining Abby Promersberger broke the ice for the Purple. With a quick transition up the ice, Ellah Hause passed the puck to Mary Zavoral who put the puck on net, with Promersberger finding the back of the net off the rebound.
The physical game went into the final period of the weekend all tied up at one goal apiece, with the Huskies having a slight advantage in shots on goal 15-12.
With her seventh of the season, Rylee Bartz broke the tie, putting the Purple in the lead with 11:30 to go in the game. Bartz's ultimately game-winning goal was assisted by Maddy Clough and Rachel Golnitz.
The game remained tight, with the Tommies holding their 2-1 advantage until the Huskies pulled their goaltender with just under three minutes to play.
To seal the victory, Lauren Stenslie scored the first of three empty net goals for the Tommies. A minute later, Mary Zavoral added the second, notching her first collegiate goal. With just 13 seconds to play, Stenslie added her second of the night, putting the Tommies on top 5-1.
This milestone win for the St. Thomas marked its first regulation win over a top-10 opponent.
TOP TOMMIES
·Olivia King recorded 25 saves and posted a .962 SV%, earning her fifth win of the season.
·Mary Zavoral scored her first collegiate goal, and registered an assist, totaling two points tonight for the Tommies. Lauren Stenslie (two goals) and Abby Promersberger (one goal, one assist) also recorded two points tonight for the Purple.
·Rylee Bartz scored her seventh goal and second game-winning goal of the season.
· Ella Boerger continued to remain dominant in the face-off circle, winning eight of 10 draws tonight.
QUOTABLE
"It was a really fun bench to be on today," Head Coach Joel Johnson said. "First and foremost, we played good defense and we got great goaltending from Olivia. But then, we also got timely goal scoring. As we were going through the game we just said, 'if we can keep playing the same way we are defensively, we trust in our offensive opportunities.' And that's what happened, and we were able to capitalize, and it was a fun locker room to be a part of."
UP NEXT
The St. Thomas Women's Hockey team will travel to Bemidji, Minn. for a series against the Beavers. Puck drop is set for 6:00 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 26th and 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27th at the Sanford Center. Any and all information pertaining to the St. Thomas women's hockey team can be found at tommiesports.com and on Twitter and Instagram at @TommieWHockey.