After a tough weekend against nationally-ranked and Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) leader Gustavus Adolphus College, the St. Catherine University hockey hoped it could get back on the winning track against a St. Olaf College team that had yet to win a conference game this season. And thanks to contributions across the lineup, the Wildcats were able to pick up a much-needed 3-0 win over the Oles Friday night in Northfield, Minnesota. 

"It was nice to see three solid periods from our team," said Head Coach Brad Marshall. "Defensively we stayed strong, and we were able to score three goals. Abbi White (Wyoming, Minn./Forest Lake) wasn't really tested, but she was very good again when needed.
 
White recorded her third win and third shutout this season and in her career in goal for the Wildcats. The sophomore turned away all 15 shots she faced against the Oles including several big saves on Ole power play opportunities. 

After a scoreless first period where the Wildcats were turned away by St. Olaf goaltender Hailey Sampson eight times, they finally broke the deadlock when Cassie Thomas (Northfield, Minn./Northfield) scored her first collegiate goal at the 4:26 mark of the second period on a set up from Alyssa Burke (Robbinsdale, Minn./Robbinsdale-Cooper) who recorded her first collegiate point with the assist. 

The Wildcats added to their lead in the second period when Zoe Verkerke (Menominee, Mich./Menominee) beat Simpson at 15:32 on a set up from Annie Buttermore (Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi) and Anna Carman (Lutsen, Minn./Cook County). With her assist, Carman also picked up her first collegiate point of her rookie season. 

With the 2-0 lead, the Wildcats continued to dominate shots on goal over Oles in the third period with a 10-4 advantage. Bailey Rasmussen (Grand Rapids, Minn./Grand Rapids) added an insurance goal for the Wildcats at the 14:23 when the Oles pulled Simpson in an attempt to comeback. 

With the win, the Wildcats moved to 6-11-5 on the season and 4-7-4 with 12 points in the conference standings. They will face the Oles again Saturday for game two of the MIAC series at 2 p.m. at Deake Arena in St. Paul. 

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