Women's hockey loses close battle to Gustavus

The Pipers (2-5-3, 1-3-1 in the MIAC) hung tough with the third-ranked team in nation, holding the Gusties (7-1, 5-0) to single goals in each of the three periods.

Kelly Crandell started the scoring at the 17:20 mark of the first period. She was assisted by Margaret Dorer and Andrea Peterson on the play.

Hamline would tie the game midway through the second period when Sara Mickelson scored her first goal of the season at 10:05.  After a Mindy Lein shot was blocked on a 2-on-1, Mickelson fired a backhand shot past Gustavus goaltender Kitty Hurley.

But the Gusties answered three minutes later on the power play when Dorer scored. Ingrid Neve added a power-play goal at 3:31 of the third period for the game's final tally.

Gustavus finished 3 of 6 on the power play. Hamline was 0 of 4 with an extra skater.

Hamline netminder Rachael Young made 36 saves in the contest while Hurley stopped eight shots for the Gusties.

The two teams will meet again Saturday afternoon in St. Peter.  Game time is set for 2:00 p.m.