Local college sports roundup: Gophers women's hockey picks up first series sweep

Michael Lyne, Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.
·3 min read

Oct. 17—After an offensive explosion of three first period goals, the No. 5/6 Gophers women's hockey team swept their first series this season with a 6-2 win over Minnesota State Mankato.

They outshot the Mavericks 49-13 and won 41 of 71 faceoffs.

The seniors fueled the Gophers' victory. Gracie Ostertag put the Gophers up 1-0 just 2:32 seconds into the game on the power play, while Amy Potomak added two goals. Savannah Norcross tallied her first goal this season. Emily Oden also scored as she now has three goals in four games this season.

Freshman Emily Zumwinkle tallied an assist for her first career collegiate point, while fifth-year Olivia Knowles and senior Catie Skaja both collected their first assists (and points) this season. Freshman Peyton Hemp had one goal and an assist. Six other Gophers also tallied one assist.

The Gophers (3-3) will travel to Hamilton, N.Y., as they take on Colgate University on Friday, Oct. 22 at 1 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 23 at 1 p.m.

St. Thomas 2, St. Cloud State 2: Freshman Abby Promersberger scored her second collegiate goal to even up the game with just seven and a half minutes to go in the third, but the Tommies' comeback fell short against the Huskies in a shootout that went to a thrilling seven rounds.

Senior Anna Solheim scored her first goal this season, while freshman Maddy Clough tallied assists on both of the Tommies' goals, highlighting her first two collegiate points.

The Tommies (2-3-1) will host Minnesota-Duluth in their fourth WCHA two-game series of the season on Saturday, Oct. 23 at 2 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 24 at 2 p.m.

Men's hockey

Lake Superior State 6, St. Thomas 3: The Tommies tied up the game in the second period after trailing 2-0 as they scored two powerplay goals, but they conceded two late goals in the period, and then they could not mount a comeback in the third period. St. Thomas (0-6) has now been swept in its first three series in their first season of Division I play.

Senior Grant Loven scored on the powerplay in the second period, marking his first goal this season, then he added another in the third period. Freshman Kyler Grundy also scored on the powerplay for the Tommies. Senior Joey Sofo tallied two assists.

The Tommies will return home to Mendota Heights, Minn., for their next CCHA two-game series against Ferris State on Friday, Oct. 22 at 7:07 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 23 at 7:07 p.m., as they search for their first-ever Division I victory.

Volleyball

Kansas City 3, St. Thomas 0: In their first season of Division I play, the Tommies are now 2-16 this season and have dropped six-consecutive matches after a 25-19, 25-14, 25-23 loss to Kansas City.

Junior Selena Levendoski and freshman Lauren Galvin led the Tommies on offense as they both produced eight kills, while senior Grace Anetipa tallied a team-high 24 assists.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Tommies' seniors led the team in digs as Carrie Rutledge had 13, while Anetipa added 11, respectively. Freshman Ellie Dammann also tallied a team-high three blocks.

The Tommies will look to get back in the win column next week when they host Denver on Thursday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m., and Nebraska-Omaha on Saturday, Oct. 23 at 3 p.m.