ST. PETER, Minn. — Saint Mary's University women's hockey coach
Terry Mannor was looking forward to Saturday's game against Gustavus.
After all, it's not often you get a chance to square off against a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opponent in a nonconference setting.
And when that opponent is perennial power Gustavus, it's the perfect opportunity to see just how your team stacks up.
After 60 minutes Saturday, Mannor's feeling like his squad stacks up quite nicely.
SMU held the Gusties to a season-low one goal — a first-period tally by Tam Meuwissen. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, that one goal was the game's only goa, as Gustavus escaped with a 1-0 victory at the Don Roberts Ice Arena.
“There were times where we played very, very well,” said Mannor, whose team had its four-game winning streak snapped with the setback. “At other times, we played a little tentative, and in a game against a team like (Gustavus), you can't afford to play tentative.
“Overall, I'm very pleased with the way we played,” Mannor added. “This was definitely a good measuring stick for us — and I think it proved to everyone on this team that, when we play the way we are capable of playing, we can play with any team in the West (Region).”
Kaye Collier (Hibbing, Minn.) finished with 38 saves for the Cardinals — including 13 stops in the second period and 18 more in the third — while Danielle Justice and Emily Klatt combined to stop all 17 SMU shots for the shutout.
The Cardinals, who fall to 7-5-1 overall, return to conference play on Friday, playing host to Bethel in a 7 p.m. contest at the SMU Ice Arena.
