Women’s hockey swept by St. Thomas
Greg Miller, Contributor
The women’s hockey team lost to St. Thomas in both games of their weekend series, snapping their impressive five-game win streak. The Auggies lost 2-0 on Friday and 3-1 on Saturday, bringing their current record to 5-3-1 (4-2 in the MIAC).
The Auggies could not find the back of the net at home on Friday night as they peppered the Tommie goaltender with 33 shots but did not score a goal. St. Thomas opened up the scoring roughly halfway through the first period and added their second goal early in the second period. Augsburg held the Tommies to only one shot in the third period, but the damage had already been done. Mackenzie Molnar led the Auggies with 10 shots followed by Emily Ach and Megan Johnson who both made 4. Augsburg goalie McKenna Manalli had 15 saves that night.
On Saturday, they traveled to Mendota Heights to play the second game of the series. After a scoreless first period, the Auggies opened up the game with a power play goal from Valerie Whichello, her first of season. Megan Johnson and Hollywood Hermanson assisted on the goal. St. Thomas responded by scoring two goals in the second and tacking on another in the third to beat Augsburg 3-1. Mackenzie Molnar again led the team in shots with eight followed by Emily Ach who tallied three shots on net. Annie Juergens got the start between the pipes this game and ended with 24 saves on 27 shots.
Augsburg ended the weekend outshooting St. Thomas 61 to 44. They also led in the faceoff circle winning 52 while losing only 41. Augsburg did not commit a penalty in either game while St. Thomas was called for three.
The team will take a road trip into Wisconsin this weekend to take on Wisconsin-Stevens Point on Friday and Marian on Saturday. Auggies are looking to pick up some key non-conference wins before the end of the year.
This article was originally published in the Dec. 07, 2018 issue.
Womens Hockey team regroups late in the third period at Ed Saugested Rink. Photo by Greg Miller.