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Pointers Shut Down by Gusties in
NCAA Playoffs
Box
Score
The UW-Stevens Point women�s hockey team had plenty of
offensive success against Gustavus Adolphus this season, but the Gusties clamped
down on the Pointers on Saturday night, holding them to just seven shots on goal
in a 3-0 NCAA Division III quarterfinal victory at Willett Arena.
With the victory, Gustavus Adolphus advances to the
Division III frozen four on Friday in Elmira, N.Y. The Gusties, who are making
their second appearance and first since 2002, will take on defending national
champion Middlebury (Vt.). Plattsburgh State (N.Y.) and Elmira meet in the other
semifinal.
Gustavus Adolphus became the second road team ever to
win a road NCAA tournament game, turning the tables on UW-Stevens Point, which
had the only previous road win with a 3-2 double overtime quarterfinal triumph
last year over the Gusties.
The Gusties had impressive defensive numbers entering
the tournament with 12 shutouts and a 1.24 goals against average. However, of
the 34 goals allowed by the Gusties, nine came in two meetings with UW-Stevens
Point. It was a much different story on Saturday as the Pointers were unable to
penetrate the Gusties� defense, led by Andrea Peterson, who also scored two
goals to give her 30 for the season.
In fact, the UW-Stevens Point defense also shut down
Gustavus Adolphus in the first period as the Gusties owned a 5-3 advantage in
shots with neither team creating many scoring chances.
Gustavus Adolphus finally got on the scoreboard midway
through the second period when Molly Doyle scored a shorthanded goal with
assists from Abby Randall and Peterson to put the Gusties ahead 1-0. The lead
stood for the remainder of the period as Pointers� goalie Amy Statz made 13 of
her 24 saves during the frame.
Statz was injured midway through the third period and
reserve Janelle Korbas made two solid saves before Peterson scored with an
assist from Tanna Tuomie. Peterson added an empty net score with 1:38 remaining
to seal the win.
UW-Stevens Point mustered just one shot in the third
period as the Gusties finished with a 28-7 advantage for the game. It marked the
final game for seven UW-Stevens Point seniors, who completed their careers with
a combined 87-16-7 record over four years, including a national runner-up finish
last year. |
