ST. PAUL, Minn.---The St. Catherine University hockey team gained a little momentum last week with a win and tie to enter the later half of the season. They hoped for one last opportunity to find success Wednesday in a non-conference matchup before returning to Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) action this weekend. Despite holding off a dominant offensive attack from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, the Wildcats couldn't hold on falling with 26 seconds remaining in overtime Wednesday evening at Drake Arena.
The Wildcats found themselves on the defensive a majority of the game, but managed to keep a win within reach thanks to outstanding play in goal from
Abbi White (Wyoming, Minn./Forest Lake) who recorded 42 saves for her second-best total this seaspm. Unfortunately, the Wildcats managed just 14 shots and capitalized only once on six power play opportunities in a penalty-filled matchup.
After skating to a scoreless first period, the Blugolds finally took advantage of their many offensive chances when Lauren Norgren scored on a set up from Jen Thomsen at the 8:03 mark. The Wildcats found a way, though, to even the score at 1-1 with 3:01 remaining in the second when
Jordan Solheim (Thief River Falls, Minn./Thief River Falls) scored on a set up from
Tori Thompson (Rochester, Minn./John Marshall) and
Randi Fabsits (Tinley Park, Ill./Victor J. Andrew).
The two teams battled through a scoreless third period in which white kicked out 13 shots from the Blugolds before forcing an overtime period. With less than half a minute remaining, the Blugolds broke through when Mariah Czech beat White on a set up from Sydney Schneider to end the game.
With her goal, Solheim leads the team with three this season, while Thompson leads the team in assists with four during her rookie campaign.
Mallory Ryan (Cottage Grove, Minn./Park) led the team with three shots on goal while four others had two a piece.
With the loss, the Wildcats fall to 1-9-3 on the season. They open up MIAC play again Friday against perennial powerhouse Gustavus Adolphus College Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Drake Arena.
Wildcat Hockey on TwitterWildcat Hockey on FacebookWildcats on InstagramWildcats on TwitterWildcats on Facebook
