St. Thomas first-year forward Molly Grundhoffer scored her first collegiate goal, helping the St. Thomas women’s hockey team earn its first win of the season with a 3-0 victory over Franklin Pierce Friday at St. Thomas Ice Arena.
Grundhoffer’s was one of three Tommie goals (1-2-0 overall, 0-2-0 WCHA), highlighting St. Thomas’ strong offense against Franklin Pierce (0-2-0 NEWHA).
“We just took every shift we had and we just worked and worked and worked,” Grundhoffer said. “Then, that final shift when I scored, that was not just me; it was all of us combined.”
The Tommies had 37 shots on goal and only allowed the Ravens 11.
“I think we possessed the puck, and then I think we got to the net,” coach Joel Johnson said. “When you possess the puck and get to the net, it’s easy to shoot.”
The first period remained scoreless as the Ravens’ offense blocked 17 shots on goal.
“We have to play a certain way defensively,” Johnson said. “That will lead to offense.”
Next period, the Tommies’ offense kicked into gear, scoring three times.
“We have to be patient, and it finally showed itself,” Johnson said. “I’d love to claim some sort of magic button, but I can’t; I just have to give it to the players.”
Senior forward Maija Almich put the Tommies on the board with her first goal of the season nine minutes into the second period. It was assisted by junior forward Brieja Parent after Parent sent a simple pass for Almich to knock in.
“It was a very tiring shift, but (the goal) ended up being more of a little one-two tap,” Almich said.
The excitement continued with Grundhoffer’s goal coming two minutes later. Her goal was assisted by first-year forward Kate Haug.
Both Grundhoffer and Haug are a part of the seven first-year athletes that joined the roster this season. Grundhoffer has worked to “throw every single thing” she has onto the ice during practice, pushing toward her next learning phase.
“For me, I would say my next phase is just trying to see how many games I can make the roster for,” Grundhoffer said.
The Tommies’ third goal came from graduate forward Anna Solheim with three minutes left in the second period during a power play. It was her first goal of the season and was assisted by senior forward Allie Monrean and sophomore defender Maddy Clough.
Almich thinks the win will help boost the team’s morale for the year.
“It gives us the confidence to show up every day and say that we can do it,” Almich said. “We can take any game from anyone, any opponent, which is good.”
The Tommies will face the Ravens again at 6 p.m. Saturday at St. Thomas Ice Arena.
“I expect tomorrow to be a much more competitive game where they’re not going to be surprised by our puck possession,” Johnson said.
Natalie Hoepner can be reached at hoep8497@stthomas.edu.