BOX SCORE

Led by senior forward Holly Reinking (Maple Grove, MN, Elk River), the College of Saint Benedict (4-11-3, 3-6-2) is beginning to look like the team many predicted to contend for a playoff spot this season after winning two of their past three games. Reinking, who ended the night with two goals and an assist, was on the ice for three of the team's four goals.

Battling against Saint Mary's University, currently the third ranked team in the conference, the Blazers scored three goals in the third to cruise to a 4-1 victory in Winona, Minnesota. Dating to February 4 win against Hamline University, Saint Benedict has scored seven goals in three games.

Sophomore forward Emily Wigstrom (Mahtomedi, MN, Mahtomedi High School) broke the scoreless tie when she scored her first goal of the season late in the first period at 17:42. Wigstrom was assisted on the play by sophomore forward Kaley Flynn (West St. Paul, MN, Henry Sibley High School) and junior forward Andrea Parsons (Buffalo, MN, Buffalo).

When Saint Mary's evened the game six minutes into the third period, Blazer junior forward Kelly Fladebo (Mora, MN, Cambridge-Isanti Mora) wasted little time scoring 30 seconds later in what proved to be the game winner for Saint Benedict. The goal, Fladebo's team leading fifth on the year was assisted by Reinking. Reinking followed the assist with two goals of her own to put the game out of reach 4-1. Assisting her were sophomore defender Linnea Chruscielski (Duluth, MN, Duluth East), junior forward Amie Ernst (North Mankato, MN, Mankato Loyola), and junior forward Kerri Graske (Stillwater, MN, Stillwater Area).

“Holly had great energy tonight,” said head coach Pat Michaud. “She played hard and went to the net.”

Both teams return to the ice tomorrow for the second game of their series in Winona. The puck drops at 2 pm.