Box Score Game Summary

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University women's hockey team opened MIAC play in impressive fashion, sweeping conference tournament-qualifer Concordia 2-1 and 3.0.

But that was two weeks ago.

How would the layoff effect the Cardinals when they returned to action Friday evening against St. Catherine?

No one bit.

SMU scored first for the sixth straight game, Emily Kearns (Hopkins, Minn.) netted a goal for the third time in her last four games, and Nikki Jung (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) was her usual brick-wall self, extending her shutout string to 146 minutes with her second straight shutout as the Cardinals blanked the Wildcats 5-0 at the SMU Ice Arena.

"We played well," said SMU coach Duncan Ryhorchuk, whose team has now won four straight after opening the season with a loss and a tie vs. Lake Forest. "I thought we had a good week of practice — especially from midweek on, and that carried over into the game."

Kearns got the Cardinals on the board midway through the first period, netting the first of her two goals. Melissa Mondo (Vadnais Heights, Minn.) made it 2-0 two minutes later as SMU took a 2-0 lead into the locker room after the first period.

The Cardinals wasted little time putting the game out of reach, as Kearns, Alissa Schultz (LeSueur, Minn.) and Mondo scored in the period's first four minutes — and the rout was on.

"We've proven over the last several games that we play well with the lead," said Ryhorchuk. "That (three-goal, second-period outburst) was good to see. St. Catherine hung right with us in the first period, and if we would have let (the Wildcats) hang in there, who knows what might have happened.

"Instead, we come out and take control right away and never gave them that chance."

Kearns' second goal — a breakaway tally 49 seconds into the second period — gives her 81 goals for her career, making her SMU's all-time leader. Missy Westergren was the school's scoring leader with 80 goals during her illustrious four-year career.

"It's a nice honor for Emily," said Ryhorchuk. "She's worked hard to bring her game to another level every year."

Jung, who has not allowed a goal since the 13:43 mark of SMU's 2-1 win over Concordia on Nov. 22, finished with 28 saves — including 10 in both the first and second periods.

"Nikki played well," praised Ryhorchuk of his freshman goalie. "Our defense did a nice job of forcing the shots from the outside, our forwards did a nice job of picking up their checks, and Nikki did her part by making the first save and controlling the rebound.

"All-in-all, it was a good win — we did what we had to do."