MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. – Junior forward Estee Frantz led with two goals, but it was not enough for St. Thomas (12-7-4, 11-4-1 MIAC) as the women’s hockey team fell 5-4 to Hamline University at Saint Thomas Ice Arena Saturday.
Hamline (16-3-4, 11-1-3 MIAC) now sits four points ahead of St. Thomas in the MIAC standings with two regular season games remaining.
“It’s always a tough one against Hamline. It’s always a great series; they’re great competitors,” Frantz said.
Frantz started the game by recovering a rebounded shot for her sixth goal of the season.
First-year defender/forward Maija Almich continued that momentum, scoring her second goal of the season on a St. Thomas power play.
Junior forward Maddy Fiedler added another goal as she drove down the left side, putting the Tommies ahead 3-0 after the first period.
“I thought we came together and played well as one unit,” Fiedler said. “Tonight we came together as one and battled.”
Hamline stormed back in the second period, scoring three goals during two power plays.
“We knew they were going to make a push in the second period,” coach Tom Palkowski said. “We just didn’t do a very good job of holding that off.”
Frantz scored her second goal early in the third period and put the Tommies ahead 4-3.
Hamline ended the game with two more goals.
“I’m sure we will see them again in playoffs, so it’s just a matter of who is on the ice and who wants it more,” Frantz said.
The Tommies were missing several injured players, including junior forward Shae McLean, sophomore forward Anna Erickson and junior defender Mikayla Karo.
“Overall, the kids competed hard this weekend,” Palkowski said. “We’re missing a few kids so we will get them back in the lineup down the stretch and be ready for the playoffs.”
The Tommies host Augsburg Friday for a 7 p.m. match.
Joey Swanson can be reached at swan5350@stthomas.edu.
Burke Spizale can be reached at spiz8477@stthomas.edu.