WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary's women's hockey team (7-7-2, 3-5-2) earned a hard-fought 1–0 overtime win over the College of Saint Benedict (11-3-3, 6-2-2) on home ice Saturday, breaking through late in a defensive battle between two MIAC foes.

Celia Midtbo delivered the deciding goal in overtime, finding the net at the 3:02 mark to lift the Cardinals to the victory. Midtbo finished with five shots on goal, while Maggie Albers added the assist on the game-winner. Reese Heitzman also contributed an assist on the play. 

In net, Celeste Rimstad was outstanding, turning aside all 23 shots she faced to earn the shutout.

Saint Mary's set the tone early, controlling possession in the opening period and generating consistent offensive pressure. Despite quality chances from Midtbo, Sophia Paduano, and Albers, the Cardinals were unable to solve Saint Benedict goalie Lexi Badali, and the teams headed into the first intermission scoreless.

In the second period, Saint Mary's had two power-play opportunities, but Badali stood firm, denying attempts from Kenzie Meland and Ella Hennes. Defensively, the Cardinals matched the intensity, highlighted by a key blocked shot from Albers to keep the game knotted at 0–0.

Saint Mary's kept pushing in the third period, with Reese Heitzman creating early chances and Midtbo and Meland continuing to apply pressure in the offensive zone. Despite outshooting the Bennies and spending extended time in attack, the Cardinals were still searching for a breakthrough as regulation ended scoreless.

That breakthrough finally came in overtime. 

After an early power play set the momentum, Midtbo capitalized at 3:02, burying her fifth goal of the season off assists from Heitzman and Albers to secure the 1–0 overtime victory.

The Cardinals split with the Bennies this weekend, and will look to be away for the upcoming conference series at St. Scholastica on Friday and Saturday.