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Ole women's hockey defeats Concordia, looks forward to playoffs

Robin Bland
February 29, 2004

Emotions were flowing as the Oles played their last regular season game on Saturday, February 28th. The Oles were looking to split the weekend series, after the frustrating loss against Concordia the night before. St. Olaf came out with intensity, while protecting their third place standing in the MIAC, and defeated the Cobbers 4-2.

Concordia scored the first goal of the game but it did not take long until St. Olaf answered back. Kate Barnett (Jr.-C, Burnsville, Minn.) snipped a shot from the slot area off a pass from Maria Richardson (FY., New Brighton, Minn.) and Sarah Ray (Sr., St. Paul, Minn). As the period was winding down the Oles scored by Ray and assisted by Barnett and Richardson. The Oles skated into the first break, protecting a 2-1 lead.

St. Olaf maintained momentum in the second period forcing ten shots on net adding to a game total of 30. Ole goaltender, Andrea Smith (Jr., Burnsville, Minn.), was solid between the posts. She had a total of 23 saves and played tough throughout the whole game.

St. Olaf scored again taking a two point lead. This time, Brit Schultheis (Jr., Shoreview, Minn.) put it past Concordias goaltender. The play started with Kirsten Paulsen (So., Moorhead, Minn.) and Ray. The Cobbers took a penalty with five seconds left and the Oles went into the second break with the power play in mind.

The gap between the score increased as Paulson scored the fourth goal for the Oles. Schultheis passed the puck to Paulson as she was in position to quickly shoot. St. Olaf was ahead 4-1, until Concordia snuck past Oles defense. After this goal, St. Olaf played smart and protected their 4-2 lead. They closed out the last game of the regular season with a victory.

Sarah Ray had a total of six points in this series. Before the game, the team thanked Sarah Ray (Sr.-C, St. Paul, Minn.) for her dedication and hard work through the last four years. Ray is the lone senior on St. Olafs squad. She is a remarkable player and has been apart of the St. Olaf womens hockey program since the beginning. She will be greatly missed next year on and off the ice.

St. Olaf finished 11-7-0 in the MIAC placing third and 13-10-2 overall. The Oles now look ahead to their playoff game against Gustavus Adolphus College on Thursday, March 4th at the Gustavus Ice Arena.

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