WINONA, Minn. — After surrendering 11 goals in their previous two games, the Saint Mary's University women's hockey team headed into last weekend's nonconference series against UW-Eau Claire in dire need of a defensive stand.

Enter goalie Sarah Gustafson (Esko, Minn.).

Gustafson stopped 34 of the 35 shots she faced in the two games against the Blugolds, leading the Cardinals to 3-0 and 5-1 victories — and earning the senior netminder MIAC Athlete of the Week honors.

Gustafson kicked off her weekend by stopping all 21 Blugold shots in Friday's 3-0 victory, notching her second shutout of the season and seventh of her collegiate career.

And in Saturday's rematch, Gustafson nearly repeated that shutout performance, allowing just a first-period tally, while recording 13 saves.

Gustafson, who has notched at least one shutout in each of her four collegiate seasons, heads into Wednesday's nonconference showdown with St. Norbert boasting a team-best 2.61 goals-against-average and a .901 save percentage.