MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. — The St. Thomas women’s hockey team dismantled St. Olaf 8-1 in a high-scoring game Friday at Saint Thomas Ice Arena.
Sophomore goalie Eryn Cooley was able to save all but one of St. Olaf’s (0-5) eight shots on goal.
“It’s just a great opportunity for me after not playing last year, and I think it’s really exciting to finally get my chance,” Cooley said.
Senior defense Anna Williams put the Tommies (2-1-1) on the board immediately by putting in a goal within the first minute of the game, assisted by junior forwards Alyssa Wallace and Maddy Fiedler.
“I think it was a confidence booster for everyone, just to see if we can put the puck in the net,” Williams said.
A minute later, senior forward Sarah Moy put in another assisted goal by junior forward Estee Frantz and junior defense Kate Winiecki, making the score 2-0.
Four minutes later, Fielder put in a goal assisted by Lillian Rue, bringing the score to 3-0, where it remained at the end of the first period.
Coach Tom Palkowski praised the high scoring feat for the Tommies.
“It’s nice every once in a while, we don’t get that too often,” Palkowski said. “I just liked the way we shared the puck and did some things that we’ve been working on.”
After a scoring break, the Tommies fired up again with senior forward Isabel Bianchi scoring six minutes into the second period, assisted by first-year defender Emma Larson.
The fifth goal scored by senior forward Allison Parnell was her second goal of the season, with assists coming from sophomore forward Anna Solheim and junior forward Shae McLean.
Three goals were later scored at the end of the second period, one each unassisted from Frantz and McLean, and another from Fielder assisted by Rue.
“Last season, I didn’t score as many goals,” Fielder said. “I was more of an assist stat, so it’s kind of nice putting the puck in the net this year.”
Fielder’s two goals this game brought her season total up to three.
St. Olaf made it on the board with a single goal by senior forward Johanna Glaaser in the first two minutes of the third period.
The Tommies outshot the Oles 53-8. Goalkeepers Ivy Shonka and Kaitlyn Pellicci saved all but eight combined for St. Olaf.
The Tommies travel to St. Olaf Saturday for a rematch at 2 p.m.
Justin Amaker can be reached at justin.amaker@stthomas.edu.