BOX SCORE

Blazer Big Day, Parents' Weekend, and Pink the Rink all appeared to be the remedy the College of Saint Benedict (2-14-4, 0-9-4 MIAC) needed when they took on Saint Mary's University tonight at the MAC. Jumping out to a 3-0 lead entering the beginning of the final period, the energized crowd of 125 felt the team's first conference victory of the season was in hand. The Cardinals however, used a relentless offensive attack to score four unanswered goals, seizing the 4-3 victory in the process.

Just like it has been all season, the third period proved once again to be the Achilles heel for the Blazers. Of the 62 total goals scored on them, 39 percent have come in the third, including the four let in tonight.

Junior forward Gretchen Leyendecker (Rochester, MN, Lourdes) got things started for the Blazers when she got past first-year Cardinals goalie Kaye Collier on an unassisted goal at 08:09. Leyendecker, who shot from the side of the net at a tricky angel, was able to squeeze it past Collier's outstretched hand.

Three minutes later sophomore center Jennifer Yelle (Coon Rapids, MN, Coon Rapids) added to the Blazers lead when her fourth goal on the season found the back of the net. Sophomore forward Andrea Parsons (Buffalo, MN, Buffalo) assisted Yelle on the play.

Saint Benedict struck again late in the third period, when first-year forward Ashley Olson (Fairmont, MN, Fairmont High School) scored at 18:36. First-year defender Mara Kohl (Newark, OH, Newark Catholic High School) assisted on the play.

The Blazers exited the locker room and entered the ice at the beginning of the third to loud cheers from the home crowd which seemed to sense a win. Sophomore goalie Lauren Herzog (Mendota Heights, MN, Convent of the Visitation) who had kept Saint Benedict in the game with a few sprawling saves, was carrying the potential of the team's first shutout of the season as the period got underway. Six minutes in, the Cardinals ruined shutout hopes by scoring their first goal of the night. Less than three minutes later, the game was tied 3-3 with the Cardinals having scored two more goals. Saint Mary's took the lead for good while sending the Blazers home with loss when they found the back of the net again at 14:12.

“We made some mistakes that they jumped on that allowed them to gain momentum,” head coach Pat Michaud said. “It's too bad because we had played a good first, a good second and had the game in our hands. We are a young team and all we can really do is learn from it.” 

Saint Benedict returns to the ice tomorrow afternoon when they finish their series with the Cardinals. The puck is scheduled to drop at 2 pm.