You reached this page through the archive. Click here to return to the archive.

Note: This article is over a year old and information contained in it may no longer be accurate. Please use the contact information in the lower-left corner to verify any information in this article.

Women's hockey earns first playoff berth in school history

Robin Bland
February 23, 2004

The St. Olaf women's hockey team traveled to Winona for the second game of the weekend series against Saint Marys University. With the sole possession of third place in the MIAC conference on the line, the Oles dominated and came home with a 3-1 win.

About half way into the first period the Cardinals got on the board first with a goal. The Oles answered back as their power play proved successful when Lindsay Weier (So., Menomonie, Minn.) scored to tie up the game. Teammates Erin Baxter (Jr., Rosemount, Minn.) and Maria Richardson (Fr., New Brighton, Minn.)were credited with the assist. Fifty seconds later, Baxter picked up the rebound from Richardson and Kate Barnett (Jr., Burnsville, Minn.) to take a 2-1 lead.

In the second period, the Oles defense played tough. Goaltender, Kerry Rollwagen (Jr., Mendota Heights, Minn.) had 7 saves, with a game total of 24. St. Olaf continued to play solidly and held onto their one goal lead going into the second break.

The Ole offense controlled the third period. St. Olaf went ahead for good when Sarah Ray (Sr., St. Paul, Minn.) snipped a slap shot from the blue line, off a pass from Brit Schultheis (Jr., Shoreview, Minn.). The Oles held on and closed the game out at 3-1.

With the weekend split, St. Olaf is now 10-6-0 in MIAC standings and 12-9-2 over all. The Oles remain in third place and have earned their first MIAC playoff berth, for the first time in school history and just four seasons of women's hockey at St. Olaf.

The Oles play again on Friday, February 27th and 28th at the Northfield Ice Arena. They face off against the Concordia College Cobbers. The puck drops at 7:00 p.m. on Friday night and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Contact Le Ann Finger at 507-786-3834 or finger@stolaf.edu.