ST. PAUL, MINN. – The St. Catherine University women's hockey team earned their first conference win of the 2015-16 season yesterday in a 2-1 win over St. Olaf. Saturday, the winning ways continued, as the Wildcats beat the Oles 3-1 in the series nightcap.

The second game between St. Kate's and St. Olaf was very similar to their first meeting Friday night. The Oles were the first to strike on an even strength goal by Karma Knutson. However, the Wildcats had a quick answer. Less than three minutes after Knutson's goal, junior forward Jordan Solheim (Thief River Falls, Minn./ Thief River Falls) snuck one past St. Olaf goalie Mae Morris to tie the game at 1 a piece.

St. Kate's went on to score in the next two periods. They took the lead on Laken Muller's (Inver Grove Heights, Minn./ Simley) even strength goal at 2:53 in the second period. Muller was set up by senior forward Annie Buttermore (Grant, Minn./  Mahtomedi) and first year forward MacKenzie Ess (Burnsville, Minn. / Apple Valley).

The dagger came with 40 seconds left in the third period. Alex Pederson scored the empty netter at 19:20 to seal the win for the Wildcats. The 3-1 win gave St. Kate's their second consecutive win and first series win of the season. 

"Once again, our penalty killers and power play groups did a tremendous job," head coach Brad Marshall said after the game. "It was really a team effort tonight from our goalie on out. Everyone stuck to their roles and executed."

Starting goalie Abbi White (Wyoming, Minn./ Forest Lake) turned away 21 shots in the game, while St. Olaf's Morris stopped 21 of 23 shots faced.

With the win, St. Kate's improves to 3-12-4 on the season and 2-9-1 in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play. They hope to continue the win streak next weekend in a home-and-home series against Saint Benedict. The Wildcats will travel Friday to face the Blazers and will host the second at Drake arena on Saturday.