MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. — Junior goaltender Eryn Cooley saved 21 of 23 shots that came her way, helping the St. Thomas women’s hockey team to a 4-2 win against Bethel University Saturday at Saint Thomas Ice Arena.
This game snapped Bethel’s (2-1-0) two-game winning streak and undefeated record this season. Bethel has not defeated the Tommies since 2016.
“We always have tight games for the most part with them,” coach Tom Palkowski said. “We’ve been able to come out on the upper end quite a bit recently.”
The Tommies’ (3-1 overall, 2-0 MIAC) started out slow, but then “turned it up” and got more shots and goals in, according to Palkowski.
“I liked the way we moved the puck,” Palkowski said. “We had a couple defensemen that played really well tonight, and Eryn (Cooley) was solid.”
Senior forward Maddy Fiedler’s second goal of the season moved her into second place in the MIAC for points and put the Tommies on the board in the first period.
“We battled hard,” Fiedler said. “It’s a little tough because we played four games in one week, so we definitely came out there and gave it our all.”
Two first-year’s, forward Fiona Claugherty and defender Addy Hackley, each captured their first collegiate career goals against Bethel sophomore goaltender Baleigh Shuck, who took in 29 shots from St. Thomas.
Claugherty’s goal, assisted by junior forward Anna Solheim and first-year forward Lauren Einan, came just under three minutes into the second period. Hackley’s goal, unassisted, came just over seven minutes into the third period. Hackley didn’t know she scored, at first.
“It feels good to get that off the chest,” Hackley said. “I thought one of our girls tipped it, but it was Bethel.”
Sophomore forward Luci Bianchi scored an unassisted goal within the first two minutes of the third period. Bethel broke the shutout at the end of the third period with back to back goals from junior defender Grace Halvorson assisted by senior forward Bri Stafne, and first-year defender Julia Mcalpin unassisted.
This is the Tommies’ fourth game in six days, and the team has another busy week ahead of them with three more. They begin on the road at Saint Mary’s on Tuesday night, return home to play Concordia College the next night and finish the week against Saint Mary’s at home Saturday night.
“I’m just glad they’re getting some games in, and they’re enjoying being here at the rink,” Palkowski said. “They’re working extremely hard.”
For Fiedler, it’s a “mentality thing” to keep up with the busy schedule of the team.
“At least for me personally, just go out there, do your best and recover over the weekend,” she said.
Justin Amaker can be reached at justin.amaker@stthomas.edu.