MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minnesota – Forward Heidi Winiecki’s game-winning goal at 13:23 of the third period propelled the St. Thomas women’s hockey team to its second consecutive MIAC championship with a 3-2 win over Bethel Saturday afternoon at the St. Thomas Ice Arena.
With the win, the Tommies (14-9-4 overall, 11-3-4 MIAC) earned the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Divison-III playoffs beginning March 14. Coach Tom Palkowski said his team played hard and was deserving of the outcome.
“The kids have really worked hard this year. They’re a young group,” Palkowski said. “We took some growing pains, but we kept battling and our upperclassmen have really been great leaders.”
Each team took two minor penalties in the first period, but while the Tommies couldn’t capitalize with the extra skater, the Royals were able to.
Bethel forward Kathryn Larson got the scoring started in the contest when she tallied a power-play goal at 7:38 of the opening period.
Bethel held St. Thomas scoreless in the first period, but the Tommies were able to break through in the second frame. Forward Rachel Friberg tied the game six minutes into the second period with her ninth goal of the season.
Bethel regained the lead on the power play later in the period. Larson found the back of the net with 7:17 left in the second period for her second goal of the contest.
The Royal lead didn’t last long though.
Forward Heidi Winiecki broke the tie less than three minutes later with a power-play goal with 4:14 remaining in the second period. Forward Courtney Umland and defenseman Megan Juricko were credited with the assists.
Bethel earned a power play halfway through the final period and threatened to increase its lead, but goaltender Taylor Neisen stood tall and shut the door. Neisen finished the game with 17 saves but said her flurry of saves during the successful third period penalty-kill gave her team the momentum to finish strong.
“They had two powerful goals before that, so it was a huge turning point for our game. Our whole team had a step of confidence after that,” Neisen said.
The Tommies took their first lead of the game late in the third period. A rebound off forward Tara Baago’s shot bounced into the slot where Winiecki took advantage. She picked up a loose puck and beat Royal goaltender Michelle Klimstra with the shot. Winiecki was quick to heap praise on her linemate for the goal.
“(Baago) had an awesome pass across on the hustle, and it just popped right out to me. It was a good feeling,” Winiecki said.
St. Thomas will find out its opponent and seeding during the NCAA’s live online selection show on March 9 at 9 a.m.
“I don’t even have words. It’s so unreal right now. I honestly don’t know what to say, I’m so excited,” Friberg said.
Palkowski said he is looking forward to another week of practice and another round of the national tournament.
“We’ll take our chances against anybody,” Palkowski said.
Travis Swan can be reached at swan9954@stthomas.edu.