ST. JOSEPH, Minn. -- First-year goaltender Lexi Badali (St. John, Ind.) turned in another standout performance to help power the College of Saint Benedict Bennies women's ice hockey to a historic championship, and her efforts have been recognized with The House/St. Cloud Orthopedics CSB Athlete of the Week honors.

 

Badali played a key role in Saint Benedict's victory in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Women's Ice Hockey Playoffs championship game, helping the Bennies defeat (RV) and fourth-seeded Gustavus Adolphus to secure the program's first conference playoff title.

In the championship game, Badali allowed just one goal while recording 33 saves in a strong effort between the pipes. She stopped nine shots in the opening period, added 14 saves in the second and turned aside another 10 attempts in the final period as Gustavus mounted pressure late in the game.

After the victory, Badali said she embraced the atmosphere and intensity of the moment.

"I love it," Badali said after the game, referring to the near-constant pressure she faced late. "I just tried to block out all the noise. This is as loud as this rink has been all year and it was awesome playing in front of all of these people. But I tried to block it all out and focus on playing my game."

The performance marked her 10th game this season with 30 or more saves. During the Bennies' two playoff games, Badali played all 120 minutes and allowed just three goals while making 70 total saves.

Earlier today, Badali earned postseason recognition from the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, receiving Honorable Mention All-MIAC honors while also being named to the MIAC All-Playoff Team.

In her first season at College of Saint Benedict, Badali has a 1.75 goals-against average, tied for fourth in the MIAC and 29th in DIII. She also has registered a .941 save percentage, which ranks second in the conference and 20th in DIII. Heading into the NCAA DIII Ice Hockey Championship, she has recorded 588 saves — an average of 28 per game, third in the league — and compiled a 12-6-3 record in goal while recording two shutouts.

Badali is part of a Saint Benedict team that has set a school record for wins in a season with 16. And, by winning the MIAC Playoff Championship, secured the Bennies' first-ever berth in the NCAA Division III Women's Ice Hockey Tournament. Saint Benedict will face No. 5 Amherst at 2 p.m. (CDT) on Saturday, March 14 in Amherst, Massachusetts.