ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict hockey team's 5-0 win against Finlandia Saturday afternoon marked several milestones for the team.
 
It marked not only the team's first sweep of the season, but the Bennies' first sweep since 2016-17 when it beat Northland twice to start the year. It pushes CSB's unbeaten streak to five games – the team's longest since at least 2002-03. The team has been unbeaten for three games several times in that span, including late January and early February 2016 when swept St. Thomas and tied St. Kate's, but never more than three.
 
The team's nonconference win also pushed its overall record to 7-4-1, which is tied for the most wins this decade for Saint Benedict. CSB – which also won seven games last season – hasn't won eight or more games since 2008-09.
 
The team's offense had another big day Saturday in St. Cloud, but the Bennies' defense came up big against a well-conditioned, feisty Finlandia team. CSB put up 56 shots on net Saturday afternoon, and gave up just 20 to the Lions. After putting up 10 shots on net in the second period, the Lions notched a single shot on net in the third frame thanks to solid defensive play from CSB.
 
Rylan Bistodeau scored her team-leading seventh goal of the game – and third game-winning goal – to start the scoring for CSB and get the team on the board. Her goal was the only of the first period, and came with just 38 seconds left to play in the first 20 minutes, and was assisted by Annika Brodt and Riley Schneider. Maria Gaertner scored her second goal of the season in the second period, and picked up the first multi-goal game of her career with another goal midway through the third.
 
Gaertner's first goal came at the 9:42 mark of the second and was assisted by Bre Hess, and her second goal was unassisted at 7:05 of the third period. In between her two goals, first year Olivia Reid scored the first goal of her CSB career unassisted on a wraparound behind the Lions' net at the 3:49 mark of the third period. Brodt wrapped up scoring for the game with a goal off an assist from Maria Wallace at the 13:45 mark.
 
In net, junior Kailee Medved picked up the first shutout of her career, stopping all 20 shots she faced. She had nine saves in the first period and 10 in the second. Reid led the team with seven shots on net and Annie Luzum added six.
 
CSB is back at home and returns to MIAC action Thursday, Jan. 16, when it hosts Hamline at 7:15 p.m. at the MAC in St. Cloud.