WINONA, Minn. — (RV) College of Saint Benedict hockey team (11-3-3, 6-2-2 MIAC) dropped a 1-0 overtime decision to Saint Mary's (7-7-2, 3-5-2 MIAC) on Saturday afternoon at the SMU Ice Arena..


St. Ben's leaned heavily on the stellar play of goaltender Lexi Badali (St. John, Ind.), who turned aside 36 shots in 63:02 between the pipes to keep the game scoreless through regulation. Despite the setback, CSB moved to 11-3-3 overall and 6-2-2 in MIAC play, remaining in second place in the conference standings with 21 points and having won six of its last seven games. The loss also resulted in a series split after the Bennies earned a 5-4 victory in the opener on Jan. 23.

Neither team found the back of the net during regulation, as both defenses and goaltenders held firm through three physical periods. Saint Mary's applied steady pressure throughout the afternoon, finishing with a 37-23 advantage in shots, including a 15-6 edge in the third period. CSB's strongest offensive push came in the second period, when the Bennies outshot the Cardinals, 12-9.

The deadlock was finally broken in overtime when Saint Mary's capitalized at even strength. Celia Midtbo scored the game-winner for the Cardinals, her fifth goal of the season, with assists from Reese Heitzman and Maggie Albers.

CSB successfully killed off all four Saint Mary's power plays but faced challenges in the face-off circle, falling, 36-24. Senior Chloe Lewis (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) led the Bennies in face-offs, winning 14 of 28 draws, while sophomore Camryn Hargreaves (Minnetrista, Minn.) paced the offense with four shots on goal.

Saint Benedict will look to bounce back next weekend with a home-and-home MIAC series against nationally ranked Hamline. CSB will host the Pipers at 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30, before traveling to St. Paul for a 2:30 p.m., puck drop on Saturday, Jan. 31.