Box Score
After coming off a much-needed win against Concordia University (Wis.) last Saturday, the St. Catherine University hockey team knew it was going to face a much greater challenge as it opened up the second half of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) season on the road against No. 2-ranked Gustavus Adolphus College.
 
Despite another strong defensive performance, the Wildcats couldn't capitalize on their opportunities against the Gusties as they fell 2-1 Friday night in St. Peter, Minn.
 
“With the limited chances they hold opponents to, we had some good looks at the net but just missed,” said Head Coach Brad Marshall.
 
The Gusties kicked off the scoring early in the first as Courtney Boucher beat junior goalie Alex Hall (Burnsville, Minn.) at the 3:45 mark to give Gustavus an early 1-0 lead.
 
The Wildcats answered back just a few minutes later as Megan Killmer (Savage, Minn.) netted her third goal of the season on a pass from Bailey Rasmussen (Grand Rapids, Minn.) to tie the game at one a piece.
 
The teams skated to a deadlock in the second period, but the Gusties finally took advantage of an early third period opportunity as Jenna Christiansen scored the game winner just 3:14 into the period to seal the Gusties seventh MIAC win of the season.
 
Defensively, the Wildcats were able to take away quality opportunities from the Gusties and keep the game close until the game's final 20. Hall, who was named MIAC Women's Hockey Athlete of the Week on Monday, turned in another stellar performance as she stopped 47 of the 49 shots thrown her way.
 
Hallie Paschke (New Prague, Minn.) led the Wildcats with three shots on goal, while Killmer and Rasmussen each had two. Killmer continues to lead the Wildcats in points (11) and Rasmussen is now tied for second (9).
 
With the loss, the Wildcats fall to 5-2 in MIAC play, but are still in sole possession of second place in MIAC standings with 10 points.
 
The Wildcats will get another crack at the Gusties tomorrow in what promises to be another close MIAC contest between the league's top two teams. Puck drop is scheduled for 2 p.m., at Drake Arena.
 
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