ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Late goals from Aurora Opsahl and Emma Rooks plus a stellar performance in goal by Ally Frantzick lifted the College of Saint Benedict Hockey Team (11-8, 8-5-0) to a 3-1 MIAC win over Saint Mary's (6-13-1, 3-9-1) on Friday (Feb. 3) at the Ritsche Arena at the MAC.

With the victory, CSB, which hosts Saint Mary's again on Saturday at 4 p.m., remained in fourth place in the MIAC standings at 8-5 and sit 11-8-0 overall. The Bennies sit just a half game behind St. Olaf at 8-4-1 for third place.

With 11 wins this season, the Bennies, which is 8-4 in games decided by two goals or fewer, have surpassed the win total of a year ago and it is the eighth double-digit win total in school history. The most wins in a season were 1999-00 at 14-12-1, 6-7-1 in league play with head coach Tom Peart. The 8-5 mark in MIAC play represents CSB's third highest win total in school history.

The game tonight had an interesting twist as the first two goals came in the opening 2:13 of the game and the final two goals by Opsahl and Rooks occurred in the final 1:19.

CSB grabbed the lead right out of the gate as first-year defender Sami Hackley scored her third goal of the season and in her second straight game for a 1-0 lead at the 1:26 mark of the opening period. She tallied an even-handed goal that was unassisted. Then, SMU's Katie Pierpoint tied the game less than a minute later an even-handed unassisted goal at 2:13 of the period.

From that point until the final 1:20, the goalies and defenses controlled the match.

Senior Ally Frantzick allowed just one goal and recorded 36 saves in 60 minutes in goal. Frantzick, who made several saves on one-on-one situations, also recorded her first career assist on the final goal. Celeste Rimstad of Saint Mary's was also effective, allowing two goals and recording 19 saves in 59 plus minutes on the ice.

With the game headed for overtime, CSB's top two goal scorers this year stepped up. At 18:41 of the third period, sophomore forward Aurora Opsahl had her team-leading ninth goal of the season on an even-handed tally with an assist from Jenna Timm. The goal was her 12^th of her career and pushed her team-leading points total to 22 (fourth in the MIAC).

After SMU pulled Rimstad from goal, Emma Rooks converted her eighth goal of the season, finding an empty net. Timm had her fifth assist of the season with Frantzick also assisting on the score in a rare scoring opportunity for a goalie.

Despite being outshot for just the fifth time in 19 matches, the Bennies held the advantage in face offs, converting 54.1 percent on 33-of-51 situations.

Sydney Hunst won 11-of-15 and Ava Stinnett, 9-of-16 with Emily Lemker at 8-of-12. Both teams had one power play opportunity but were unsuccessful.