Junior forward Luci Bianchi scored the game-winning third period goal in the St. Thomas women’s hockey team’s 2-1 win Saturday, earning the Tommies first Division I win against Bemidji State University at St. Thomas Ice Arena in Mendota Heights.
Bianchi’s goal was assisted by first-year forward Abby Promersberger and first-year defender Nicole Vallario.
HISTORY. MADE.
With a 2-1 victory, @USTwomenhockey has earned its first Division I win in program history! #WeAreWCHA pic.twitter.com/Kk3X5wZ3vB
— WCHA Women's Hockey (@WCHA_WHockey) October 2, 2021
“We battled really hard,” Bianchi said. “The first goal was super exciting by Maija (Almich, sophomore forward) and that got us going.”
Almich’s goal, assisted by first-year forward Maddie Jurgensen, tied up the game in the second period after the Beavers (1-1-0, 1-1-0 WCHA) scored less than two minutes into the first period.
First-year goaltender Saskia Maurer, an international player from Switzerland, made her collegiate debut stopping 28 out of 29 shots from the Beavers.
“It was good teamwork,” Maurer said. “I think we played good together. We had a good team spirit, and I think that was key for the game to win.”
Tommies (1-3-0, 1-3-0 WCHA) coach Joel Johnson has been waiting on her eligibility clearance due to “the challenges of international transcripts.”
“I was really excited that I can play with my teammates,” Maurer said.
Johnson noted that she “played timid” in the first part of the game.
“Then she settled in, and I was really excited for her,” Johnson said.
Five out of six of Johnson’s starters were first-year students. He gave credit to his assistant coaches for evaluating “what our best combinations” were.
“We’ll keep tweaking it and keep figuring it out,” Johnson said about determining the best combinations on the team.
With just over a minute left in the third period, Bemidji pulled their goaltender and Bianchi tried for a second goal but missed the net.
“I’ll never hear the end of that,” Bianchi laughed. “But, oh well.”
The Tommies will take a two-week break before beginning a two-game series against St. Cloud State University at 3 p.m. Friday at St. Thomas Ice Arena.
Justin Amaker can be reached at justin.amaker@stthomas.edu.
Lauren Price can be reached at lauren.price@stthomas.edu.