ST. CLOUD, Minn. – After a big win over St. Thomas late last season, the College of Saint Benedict hockey team was ready for a 2021 rematch with the Tommies, and having several games postponed due to COVID protocols only heightened that anticipation.
 
CSB kept the game close for two periods, but UST took advantage of late power plays to spoil the Bennies' 2021 home opener. Saint Benedict fell to the Tommies – who were playing in their first game of the year – 5-2 Sunday evening at the MAC in St. Cloud.
 
St. Thomas got off to a fast start, scoring two goals in the first five minutes of play to take a 2-0 lead. CSB got on the board when Riley Schneider scored off an assist from Brynn Sexauer two minutes later, but from there both teams found their groove and settled in.
 
CSB tied the game at the 3:17 mark of the second period when Rachel DeCesare scored the first goal of her collegiate career – an unassisted goal – to make it 2-2, and the score stayed tied until the final minute of the period when the Tommies scored the eventual game-winner to go up 3-2.
 
The Bennies had several chances early in the third period, but the Tommies took advantage of two CSB penalties and scored a pair of goals with in two minutes at the 13:12 mark and the 14:56 mark of the third to seal the win.
 
Ally Frantzick finished with 30 saves for the Bennies, including 17 in the second period alone to keep her team close and in the game. Saint Benedict finished with 21 shots on net to the Tommies' 35. Maria Wallace led CSB with six shots on net and DeCesare and Zoe Culshaw-Klein both had three. Culshaw-Klein also blocked three UST shots to keep the Tommies out of the net.
 
CSB is scheduled to play a trio of games on the road this week. The Bennies are at Saint Mary's Wednesday, take on the Tommies Friday in St. Paul then travel to St. Peter Sunday for a MIAC matchup against Gustavus. All schedules are subject to change; schedule updates will be posted to www.gobennies.com.