ST. PAUL, Minn. – The St. Catherine University hockey team (2-1-0) suffered its first loss of the season Friday evening, falling 2-1 in overtime to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (2-1-0). Despite a 42-save performance from goaltender Addie Oettinger and an early goal from Kendra Bogen, the Wildcats came up just short in a tightly contested non-conference matchup.
St. Catherine opened the scoring at the 14:08 mark of the first period when Kendra Bogen found the back of the net for her first goal of the season. Samantha Bogen recorded the assist, also her first of the year, giving the Wildcats a 1-0 advantage heading into the first intermission. Oettinger helped preserve the lead with 11 first-period saves.
UW-Stevens Point responded early in the second period as Kylie Meyer scored an unassisted goal at the 5:43 mark to even the score at 1-1. Both teams generated scoring opportunities throughout the remainder of the period, but Oettinger turned away 14 shots while the Wildcats put 13 shots on goal.
The third period featured a strong defensive effort from St. Catherine as the Wildcats battled to keep the game tied despite being outshot 16-7. Oettinger stopped all 16 shots she faced in the period, sending the contest into overtime.
In the extra period, St. Catherine generated five shots on goal but was unable to break through against Pointers goaltender Emily Griege. UW-Stevens Point secured the victory at the 4:21 mark of overtime when Avery Engbrecht scored the game-winner off an assist from Meyer.
Oettinger finished with 42 saves in 64:01 of action, including 16 in the third period. Griege recorded 34 saves for the Pointers. UW-Stevens Point held a 44-35 advantage in shots on goal, while St. Catherine won 40 of the game's 71 faceoffs.
Ana Myers led the Wildcats with seven shots on goal and won 19 of her 28 faceoffs. Samantha Bogen added five shots and an assist, while Kendra Bogen and Rhiannon Ashworth each recorded four shots. Defensively, Isabella Brady, Paige Fasching, Michelle Smith and Kriszta Csatlos each registered two blocked shots.
St. Kate's will host the Pointers again on Saturday afternoon with puck drop scheduled for 2 pm at Drake Arena.
