By MEAGHAN UPDIKE
Saint Mary's Sports Information Intern
 
ST. PETER, Minn. — The first game of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament did not go as the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota women's hockey team had hoped.
 
The Cardinals, making their first post-season appearance since 2016, could not stifle Gustavus' high-powered offensive attack, as the Gusties scored twice in the second period and three more times in the third in dealing Saint Mary's a 5-0 setback at Don Roberts Ice Rink.
 
After a rather uneventful first period — in which Gustavus held a 6-5 advantage in shots on goal — the Gusties turned up the offensive heat in the second period.
 
Jordyn Peterson and Lilia Scheid both put shots past Cardinal goalie Ary Ziakas (Palatine, Ill.) to give GAC a 2-0 edge entering the final period of play.
 
Unfortunately for the Cardinals, the Gusties were just getting warmed up.
 
Kayla Vrieze pushed the lead to 3-0 just 2:17 into the final stanza, while Madigan Goldsworthy and Kristina Press also found the back of the net to give Gustauvs isn't second shutout win over the Cardinals in the teams' three meetings this season.
 
Ziakas finished with 28 saves for Saint Mary's, while GAC goalie Amanda DiNella stopped all 18 Cardinals shots in recording the shutout.
 
The Cardinals close out the season with a 9-11-6 overall record, while the Gusties will take a 12-3-4 mark into Saturday's MIAC Tournament semifinal against top-seeded and No. 1- ranked St. Thomas.