EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – On Tuesday night, the Cardinals traveled to the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire to face the eighth ranked Blugolds in their first road test of the season where Saint Mary's secured a 3-2 win.
 
The Cardinals were the first regular season game for the Blugolds for the 2024-25 season. Saint Mary's proved to be a top contender by winning a majority of the face off battles and earning their team more opportunities.
 
As the first period came to a close, the Cardinals found themselves on a power play and Celia Midtbo took two shots on goal, one nicked the post, but a third times a charm and netted that attempt with less than a minute remaining to take a one goal lead.
 
As the teams settled into the second period, each team recorded early penalties. The Cardinals attacked the five on four possession with four shot attempts. The Blugolds tallied another cross-checking penalty sending yet another player into the box allowing a five on three situation in favor of the Cardinals.
 
Reese Heitzman, Kas Kingston, and Sidney Polzin kept firing shots at the Eau Claire goal tender, keeping her on her toes. That power play gave the Cardinals life as it allowed them gather momentum and net a second goal. Midtbo netted her second goal at the 12^th minute of the second period from an initial save and had the shot off a scramble that was in front of the net.
 
The Cardinals grabbed a 2-0 lead going into the third period.
 
The third period started similar to the second, each team having to serve time in the penalty box and giving advantages to each other. The Blugolds, itching to net one, were applying pressure early and out shooting the Cardinals within the first five minutes. That pressure led to the early first goal at the 7^th minute and the Blugolds fell to a one goal deficit.
 
Eau Claire looked to be in a rhythm and held control of the puck the next ten minutes. As the clock ticked down, the Blugolds got a little too aggressive and faced a penalty call with three minutes to go. The Cardinals, incredibly efficient on power plays kept, stayed true to that statistic. Kas Kingston tallied her second goal of the season in the crucial minutes of the game to take back the two-goal lead. Allie Urlaub assisted on the shot.
 
With time still on the clock, the Blugolds scored off a deflection with a minute left to bring the score within one.
 
The one minute not enough to net the tie breaker and the Cardinals move on to beat the Blugolds on the road and advance to 2-1 on the season.
 
Saint Mary's Celeste Rimstad records season high 25 saves in the win.
 
The Cardinals have some downtime after playing three games in five days and will be back in action, Friday, November 15^th for a 7 p.m. game against conference opponent Hamline.