The women's hockey team had waited since March 11 for a rematch against Gustavus Adolphus.  This came after Gustavus had beaten the then No. 1 ranked Falcons in the first round of the NCAA playoffs.

On Tuesday, the highly anticipated rematch squared off, with the stakes not quite so high, but a game that was sure to bring a playoff type atmosphere. But this time, the two teams skated to a 1-1 tie in overtime.  They may have to wait for NCAA tourney time for another rematch.

Gustavus came into the game ranked No. 6, the Falcons No. 7, so Tuesday's tie in St. Peter, Minn. can hardly be a surprise.

The first period saw the two renowned programs skate to a 0-0 stalemate.  Each team fired seven shots in the period.

But the second period was when things started to heat up.  UWRF got on the board first as Kait Mason (Eagan, MN, Eagan HS) slipped a shot by Danielle Justice for her second goal of the season.  Her goal came at the 17:46 mark of the second period to give UWRF the 1-0 lead.  She was assisted by Emma Nordness (Excelsior, MN, Benilde-St. Margaret's HS).  It was Nordness' sixth assist of the year. There were five penalties, three by Gustavus and two by UWRF in the second period.

Neither team was effective on the power play. UWRF had three power play chances throughout the game, but only managed to fire off one shot during their power plays.  Gustavus was not much better, as they were 0-4.  They did manage seven shots during that time, but Ashley Kuechle (Saskatoon, SASK, Battleford Sharks) and the Falcon defense were able to keep them from scoring.

Goaltender Kuechle was stellar between the pipes.  She amassed 35 saves throughout the night, including 15 in the third period alone.  The only goal she allowed was with about 15 minutes to go in the third period when GAC's Melissa Doyle connected on an assist by Grace Olson. It was Doyle's second goal of the year. Kuechle is now 4-0-1 on the season.  Justice would finish the game with 22 saves. She is now 6-0-1 on the season.

Allie Olson (Monticello, MN, North Wright County HS) would lead the Falcons with four shots on goal. Sam Greeley (Woodbury, MN, Woodbury HS) would add three. As a team, the Falcons had 23.  Gustavus had 36.

Gustavus had a slight edge in faceoffs won.  They had a 30-25 advantage.

UWRF seemed to get stronger as the game went on.  This was evident in overtime as the Falcons were able to fire off seven shots.  They held Gustavus to a mere one.  Falcon Coach Joe Cranston echoed those sentiments. “It was a great game with a very fast pace,” said Cranston. “It's nice to know that we have the talent to play well against a very good team. I think we outplayed Gustavus in the first and second periods and they had the best of the play in the third. Then in the overtime we came back and had three or four very good scoring chances.”

With the tie, the Falcons are now 8-1-1 on the season.  Gustavus is now 8-0-1.  The Falcons are 4-14-3 all-time against the Gusties.

Up next for the Falcons is a home contest against St. Norbert College.  The puck will drop at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9 at Hunt Arena.  UWRF is 2-0-2 all-time against the Knights.

Box Score