SAINT PETER, Minn. — For the fourth time in as many years of the tournament, the Gustavus women's hockey team won the MIAC Playoff Championship, emerging victorious in a 2-0 shutout of No. 14 Saint Mary's Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Gusties earn the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament which will begin next week. The Gusties improve to 22-4-0 on the season, becoming just the second team in conference history to win four playoff titles in a row.
Macy Janssen scored what turned out to be the game-winner just seven minutes into the first period. A faceoff win from
Lily Mortenson ended up on the stick of
Margot Bettman, who rifled a quick shot at SMU goalie Celeste Rimstad. Janssen scooped up the rebound at the half-wall and turned a quick shot around the other way, catching Rimstad off-guard for the opening goal and a 1-0 Gustie lead in the first.
Saint Mary's took the ice in the second period determined to find the equalizer, but were met with
Katie McCoy between the pipes every step of the way. The Cardinals put a number of impressive attempts toward McCoy, but the fifth-year All-American stood tall in her crease, saving all 12 shots on frame in the second period.
Kaitlyn Holland doubled the Gustie lead and dashed any hopes of a Saint Mary's comeback early in the third period, putting Gustavus up by two just 43 seconds after intermission. A pass from
Molly McHugh from behind the net found its way to a diving Holland out front, who tapped in the game's second for the eventual 2-0 final. With 2:01 on the clock at the end of the game, a penalty for Holland allowed Saint Mary's to pull Rimstad for a 6-on-4 advantage. Two extra skaters were still no match for the Gusties, who got blocks from
Hailey Holland and
Sophia Coltvet, as well as a save from McCoy, to end the game in shutout fashion.
The Gusties were outshot by the Cardinals, 23-17, but thanks to the efforts of McCoy and the Gustie defense, were still able to pick up their 11th team shutout of the season.
Brooke Power led the offensive attempts with four pucks on net, followed by three off the stick of Mortenson, who collected her 13th assist of the season in the victory. The Gusties blocked 11 SMU shots, successfully killed off four penalties, and dominated in the faceoff circle with a 71 percent win rate.
The MIAC Playoff title is the 15th for Gustavus all-time, and punches the team's ticket to the 2024 NCAA Women's Hockey Tournament for the 17th time in program history. Gustavus will learn its next opponent on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. when the NCAA releases its 2024 national tournament field.
