The St. Thomas women’s hockey team played an international exhibition game against a group of women representing China Tuesday at Saint Thomas Ice Arena, where Team China won 4-3 in a shootout. Team China used this game as preparation to host the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

The ceremonial puck was dropped tonight by Kaelee Moralez, the newest honorary member of the Tommies. Moralez was “adopted” into the team through The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, a New York-based group who works with high school and college teams throughout the country that embrace and support children battling cancer.

After a scoreless overtime period, the game went to a shootout. First-year goalie Kylie Watts guarded the net for the Tommies, but China center Fang Xin scored, giving Team China the win.
The Tommies will take a month-long break from playing and return Jan. 17-18 with a home and an away game against St. Mary’s. Palkowski noted that the Tommies may be able to play Team China again next season.

No. 9 ranked St. Thomas women’s basketball lost its second conference game in a row as No. 21 Augsburg, led by Jazmyn Solseth’s 19 points, rallied to win 69-65 in overtime Wednesday at Schoenecker Arena.

The Auggies remain unbeaten in MIAC play, after outscoring the Tommies 11-7 in overtime.

St. Thomas plays at 3 p.m. on Dec. 29 in Wisconsin Dells taking on UW-Stevens Point.

Jack Stanek can be reached at stan5468@stthomas.edu