Box Score Game Summary / GameDay Preview

WINONA, Minn. — After failing to score a goal in Friday's 3-0 loss at Bethel, the Saint Mary's University women's hockey team's offense showed signs of life in Saturday's rematch at the SMU Ice Arena.

Nicole Olson (New Brighton, Minn.) and Sheree Haslemore (Gore, New Zealand) scored early in the first and second periods, respectively, as the Cardinals snapped a four-game losing streak with a 2-1 MIAC win over the Royals.

“We played much, much better — both physically and mentally — today,” said SMU coach Terry Mannor, whose team had managed just three goals during its four-game slump. “It's nice to see us get our offense clicking again.

“We did not play well at all (Friday), and I'm happy to see us bounce back the way we did today.”

Olson netted her third goal in the Cardinals' last for games four minutes into the opening period, and Haslemore made it 2-0 53 seconds into the second period. Bethel cut the gap to one, 2-1, when Biz Huss beat SMU goalie Kaye Collier (Hibbing, Minn.) with less than two minutes remaining in the middle period.

That would be the last time the Royals would beat the Cardinal netminder, however, as Collier stopped all 11 third-period shots and finished with 24 saves for her sixth win of the season.

“This was huge win for us,” said Mannor, whose team improved to 4-1-3 in conference play, while moving to 7-6-1 overall. “It's nice to get back on the winning track — hopefully we can keep it rolling next weekend against St. Thomas.”

The Cardinals travel to St. Thomas for a 7 p.m. game on Friday, then return home to host the Tommies in a 4 p.m. rematch on Saturday at the SMU Ice Arena.