Box Score After dropping its 2014 opener to Wesleyan University Friday night, the St. Catherine University hockey team hoped it could avoid shorthanded situations and capitalize on scoring opportunities in a rematch with the host Cardinals. And they were able to do just that as one goal proved to be enough for the Wildcats in a 1-0 win over Wesleyan Saturday afternoon at Spurrier-Snyder Rink in Middletown, Conn.
"We had a much better start than last night," said Head Coach
Brad Marshall. "I'm proud of our defensive effort today. All three goalies played well and the penalty kill was better as well."
In Friday's matchup with the Cardinals, the Wildcats put just seven shots on goal through the first 40 minutes. Saturday was a different story, though, as the Wildcats put nine shots on goal in the first 20 and found the net early when
Jordan Solheim (Thief River Falls, Minn.) scored her fourth goal of the season when she skated in all alone to bury a rebound on Cardinal goalie Corrine Rivard.
The Wildcats took just two penalties in the game and limited the Cardinals to just 28 shots on goal as compared to 38 on Friday evening.
Abbi White (Wyoming, Minn.) and
Samantha Geissler (Elk River, Minn.) combined for 16 saves in the second and third periods – each playing 20 minutes – to help the Wildcats to preserve the shutout and earn the split with Wesleyan.
Alex Hall (Burnsville, Minn.) earned her third win of the season with 12 saves in the first period.
Hannah Okerstrom (Bayport, Minn.) and
Maureen Ryan (St. Paul, Minn.) each picked up an assist on Solheim's goal.
"This was a good trip for us," said Marshall. "I hope we take today and remember the defensive effort that it takes to win games at this level."
With the win the Wildcats improve to 6-4-1 on the season. They return home for a non-conference matchup with Concordia University (Wis.) next Sunday, Jan. 12, at 2 p.m. at Drake Arena, before returning to Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) play Friday, Jan. 17 against the University of St. Thomas.
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