Game Summary

WINONA, Minn. — After three games, the Saint Mary's University women's hockey team is still searching for that elusive first win.

But thanks to a two-goal third period, at least the Cardinals aren't staring at an 0-3 start.

Beth Zubrzycki (South St. Paul, Minn.) and Tasa Kostel (Rochester, Minn.) each scored third period goals as the Cardinals rallied from a 2-0 deficit to earn a 2-2 tie with UW-River Falls Friday evening at the SMU Ice Arena.

"We're building," said SMU coach Duncan Ryhorchuk. "It's going to take us some time to get everything clicking, but I think that third period was a glimpse of what we're capable of."

After getting outshot 17-7 through two periods, including 11-1 in the second period, the Cardinals' offense came to life — and fast.

Just 16 seconds into the third period, Zubrzycki took a pass from Kostel off the face-off and rifled a slap shot that beat UW-River Falls goalie Marlene Yaeger, and pulled SMU to within one, 2-1.

"The key for us (heading into the third period) was that everyone stayed positive — even after (River Falls) scored that second goal late in the second period," said Ryhorchuk, referring to the Falcons' second goal of the game, which Lou Paulson scored with just 38 seconds remaining in the period. "We came out on the powerplay to start the third period and everyone seemed to step it up a notch."

Just over five minutes after setting Zubrzycki up for the Cardinals' first goal, Kostel took a pass from Diane Amsden (North St. Paul, Minn.) and broke in alone on Yaeger, beating her with a wrist shot to knot the game at 2-2.

Both teams had several good scoring opportunities over the next 15 minutes, with UW-River Falls just missing when Tiff Stencil hit the post with less than three minutes remaining. The Cardinals peppered Yaeger for eight shots in the five-minute overtime period, but were unable to score.

"I thought we played a fairly solid game," said Ryhorchuk, whose team takes its 0-2-1 record to Eau Claire, Wis., Saturday night for a nonconference game against UW-Eau Claire. "I think this game was a step in the right direction for us."