By
DONNY NADEAU
Saint Mary's Sports Information Director
ASHWAUBENON, Wis. — The Saint Mary's University of Minnesota women's hockey team unveiled its high-octane offense Friday evening — much to the dismay of host St. Norbert.
The Cardinals erupted for six goals — equaling their season high from a year ago — en route to a 6-3, season-opening nonconference win over the Green Knights Friday at the Resch Olympic Pavilion.
The Cardinals, who have now won their season-opener in each of the last four seasons, erupted for three goals in both the second and third periods in dropping St. Norbert for the third straight meeting.
After a scoreless first period, the Cardinals kicked their offense into high gear, as
Lexie Budensiek (Farmington, Minn.) and
Bailey Wendt (Coon Rapids, Minn.) scored two minutes apart midway through the period.
Courtney Moser (Blaine, Minn.) pushed the Saint Mary's lead to 3-0 at 12:58 of the frame, before St. Norbert got on the board on a goal by Lauren Michael to cut the Cardinal lead to 3-1 heading into the game's final 20 minutes.
Saint Mary's regained its three-goal advantage on a goal by
Delaney Wolf (Bismarck, N.D.) at 6:57 of the third period, but St. Norbert answered with back-to-back tallies by Libbie Doney and Jessica Schlaff to make it a one-goal game, 4-3, with less than five minutes remaining.
Sophia Zebro (Oak Grove, Ill.) and
Carolyn Chrastka (Franklin Park, Il.) iced the Saint Mary's victory with their first collegiate goals — Zebro's at 17:41 and Chrastka's at 19:10.
Chrastka and Moser both finished with one goal and two assists for the Cardinals, while Wolf and Wendt each chipped in a goal and an assist. Budensiek's first period goals — like Zebro's and Chrastka's in the third period — was her first in a Cardinal uniform.
Ary Ziakas (Palatine, Ill.) picked up the win in goal, stopped 23 St. Norbert shots — including 14 in the second period — while Anais Aurard stopped 38 Cordial shots.
The Cardinals (1-0-0 overall) are right back in action on Saturday, traveling to Fond du Lac, Wis., for a 4 p.m. nonconference game against Marian.
