GENEVA, Ill. – The Gustavus women's hockey team completed the non-conference sweep of Aurora Saturday afternoon, rolling to a 3-1 victory over the Spartans on the road. The Gusties scored a pair of goals in the first period, including a collegiate first for Hannah Thompson (So., Lino Lakes, Minn.), and got 21 saves from Lily Timmons (Fy., Stillwater, Minn.) to head into the holiday break with a win.

Thompson gave the team a quick 1-0 lead, as Lindsay Berggren (Jr., Shoreview, Minn.) collected the loose puck in the Spartan zone following a keep at the blue line ricocheted off an Aurora defender. Berggren, pressured by a pair of Aurora players sent a pass up to Thompson at the point. The sophomore found the back of the net just 4:30 into the game, which proved to be a difference-maker in the first period after the Gusties were penalized three times in the opening frame. Kylie Ligday (So., Lake Elmo, Minn.) doubled the lead on the power play, scoring her first of the season off a feed from Kaitlyn Holland (Sr., Aberdeen, S.D.) 12 minutes later.

The Gusties controlled possession following a Brooke Power (5th, Lakeville, Minn.) faceoff win in the Spartan zone. Holland and Ligday made a series of passes before Ligday let a shot loose from the blue line that hopped over the pad of Spartan goaltender Zoie Campbell. Lily Timmons (Fy., Stillwater, Minn.) came up with a number of big saves, including robbing the Spartans on a power play 2-on-1, making a tough save on the initial shot and denying the home team their rebound to the help the lead hold heading into the first intermission.

Despite controlled Gustie offense through the second period, Aurora (2-8-2, 2-5-1 NCHA) managed to cut the lead in half, as Jillian Bilsborough picked off a a dump-in attempt at the Spartan blue line to break free down the ice uncontested. Bilsborough beat Timmons on the breakaway to bring the score to 2-1 at the end of the second period.

Heading into the third with just a one-goal advantage, Power gave the Gusties the security they needed midway through the final frame. Rushing down the ice 3-on-1, Power took a pass from Holland on the zone entry, paused just enough to confuse Campbell, before rifling the puck just under the crossbar in the top left corner. The Gustie defense ensured the lead would hold to victory, limiting the Aurora offense to just one third period shot. 

The Gusties topped their season-high 46 shots on goal from the day before, totaling 50 on Campbell, compared to 22 for Aurora. Gustavus was penalized six times in the game, but the penalty kill unit survived each Spartan power play, while the visitors scored one on three power play opportunities. The Gusties dominated the faceoff circle, winning 73.2 percent of the game's draws.

Holland led the offense with a pair of assists, while six other Gusties recorded a point. Noelle Hemr (Fy., Blaine, Minn.) led the squad with six shots on goal, while Eva Nelson (Fy., Buffalo, Minn.) and Lily Mortenson (Jr., Champlin, Minn.) each totaled five on target. Timmons collected 21 saves between the pipes for her eighth win of the season. 

The Gusties will enjoy a month off for the holiday before hosting UW-Eau Claire (9-3-0, 4-1-0 WIAC) for a non-conference game at Don Roberts Ice Rink on Jan. 14. 

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