SAINT PETER, Minn. -- In a weekend defined by defense and goaltending, Gustavus Adolphus edged the College of Saint Benedict, 2-0, on Saturday (Feb. 7) to earn a split of their Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference series.

Both teams, receiving votes in the national NCAA Division III poll, finished the weekend tied for third place in the MIAC standings with 26 points. Saint Benedict (12-5-4, 7-4-3 MIAC) entered Saturday riding the momentum of a 3-0 victory on Friday, but Gustavus (11-8-2, 8-4-2 MIAC) answered with a shutout at Don Roberts Ice Rink to even the series.

Despite the loss, CSB first-year goalie Lexi Badali (St. John, Ind.) was outstanding, stopping 37 shots in Saturday's contest. Over the two-game series, Badali made 67 saves and allowed just one goal while playing all but 12 seconds between the pipes.

Offensively, chances were limited as both teams leaned heavily on their defensive structures. Neither side found the net through the first two periods, even as Gustavus held a commanding 23-6 advantage in shots during the opening 40 minutes. The Gusties continued to press in the third, outshooting the Bennies, 16-6, and eventually broke through.

Gustavus Adolphus got on the board with an even-strength goal from Kylie Scott, her fifth of the season, with assists from Avery Braunshausen and Eva Nelson. The Gusties sealed the win late when Lily Mortenson scored her 10th goal of the year into an empty net at the 18:47 mark after Saint Benedict pulled Badali for an extra attacker.

In faceoffs, CSB first-year forward Helena Siska (Naperville, Ill.) led the way, winning 12 of 18 draws as the Bennies captured 54.3 percent of faceoffs overall (25-of-46).

Saint Benedict, now 12-5-4 overall and 7-4-3 in MIAC play, will return to the ice Feb. 13-14 with a challenging home-and-home conference series against No. 3 Augsburg.