Women's hockey clinches playoff berth

To earn the squad's first bid in the MIAC Playoffs, the Pipers (13-7-2, 9-6-1 in the MIAC) defeated the Tommies (13-10, 11-5) for the first time in school history.

Sophomore goaltender Crystal Testolin stopped all 32 shots she faced to earn the win.

After a scoreless first period, the Pipers scored twice in the second period for the game's only tallies.

Junior Sara Mickelson opened the scoring at 8:56 of the period with her 19th goal of the season. Mickelson tapped home a rebound off an Emily Dusold shot. Both Dusold and first-year Amanda Finstad were credited with assists on the goal.

Less than two minutes later, Dusold scored an unassisted power-play goal to make the score 2-0. Dusold went coast-to-coast for her sixth goal of the season. She skated through two defenders at neutral ice before getting around a Tommie defenseman and beating St. Thomas goaltender Lauren Bradel.

From there, Testolin took over, recording 23 saves in the final two periods. It was her second shutout of the season and third for the Pipers on the season. Bradel finished the evening with 17 saves in the contest for St. Thomas.

The Pipers will play at UW-Eau Claire in a non-conference tilt on Wednesday. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.