ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict hockey team had an early lead on Gustavus Saturday afternoon and was on the power play for nearly the last two minutes of the game, but couldn't capitalize in a 3-2 loss to the Gusties at the Municipal Athletic Complex in St. Cloud.
 
Gustavus (6-3-1, 3-2-1) scored a pair of second-period goals and added the game winner early in the third period to hold on for the win. Saint Benedict, which also scored on the power play in the third period, is now 2-5 overall and 0-5 in the MIAC. CSB hasn't won since hosting Northland Oct. 28-29 to start the 2016-17 season.
 
CSB got off to a good start Saturday after taking the lead just over seven minutes in the first period on a goal by Shelby Schneider – her second of the season. That goal came off an assist from Courtney Conlin, her first of the year.
 
Saint Benedict held that lead until the second period, when the Gusties added a goal in the fifth minute and another on the power play in the 17^th minute. Gustavus took the lead for good just 1:50 into the third period when it scored an unassisted goal.
 
Stephanie Kirk scored her third goal of the year off assists from Conlin and Hannah Esselman in the fourth minute to make it a one-goal game, but CSB was unable to get any closer. CSB was on the power play for two minutes late in the game, but failed to get a shot on net.
 
CSB finished with 18 shots to Gustavus' 25. Julia Carle, who had a career-high 50 saves Friday, added 22 more saves to her season total, including nine in the first period to help CSB maintain its lead.
 
Saint Benedict continues its busy stretch Monday when it travels to Eau Claire, Wis., to take on UW-Eau Claire at 7 p.m. The team is back in Wisconsin Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9-10, to take on Concordia-Wisconsin.