Women's Varsity Holds off Saints to Advance to SLAATS Cup Finals

The Women’s Varsity team took on the Saints of the College of St. Scholastica this weekend, 2.27 and 2.28 at Arrington Ice Arena.

There were no goals scored in the first period of play, however, the Saints would strike first in the second period at the 7:07 mark on the powerplay. The Bulldogs would respond 7 minutes later when Shelly Czarnowczan scored her first collegiate goal at the 14:19 mark of the second. Czarnowczan’s goal was assisted by Brooke Lupi and Sarah Shureb. After two, the score was deadlocked at 1.

Kristin Lewicki would break the tie only 50 seconds into the third period while on the powerplay. Logan Taylor and Kaylyn Schroka would assist on Lewicki’s goal. The Saints would pull their goaltender with around three minutes left in the game and Kaylyn Schroka would seal the deal for the Bulldogs, putting them up by a score of 3-1. The Saints would pull their goaltender yet again and Logan Taylor would grab her own empty net goal with only 5 seconds remaining in the game.

The final score of the first game would be 4-1 in favor of the Bulldogs and Jade Walsh would stop 19 of the 20 shots she faced.

The Bulldogs needed to at least tie the Saints on Sunday afternoon to win the series to advance to the SLAATS Cup Finals.

The score would be deadlocked at 0 through the first period and the shots on goal would remain even through the game. Kristin Lewicki would once again break the tie at the 10:12 mark of the second period off of a beautiful pass from Kaylyn Schroka who caught Sydney Smith’s rebound. Schroka and Smith would grab assists on Lewicki’s goal. After two, the Bulldogs would be up 1-0.

Lewicki would give the Bulldogs a two goal lead with her 32nd goal of the season only 21 seconds into the final period of play. Lewicki’s goal was assisted by Audrey Noles and Kelsey Dupuis. Bailey Robertson would give the Bulldogs a comfortable three goal lead at the 15:37 mark of the final period of play. Robertson’s first of the season would be assisted by Kortney Diaz and Lexie Tzafaroglou. The Saints would pull their goaltender once again in the second game in the final minutes and Sarah Shureb would seal the deal, scoring the fourth goal of the game. Shureb’s empty net goal was assisted by Michelle Jones.

The final score Sunday was 4-0 and Jade Walsh turned away all 25 shots she faced to earn her third shutout of the season and send the Bulldogs to the SLAATS Cup Final next weekend.

The Bulldogs will face off against the Green Knights of St. Norbert College next weekend in the SLAATS Cup Final for the NCHA Playoff title.

***3 Stars of the Weekend***

*Jade Walsh: Walsh only allowed one goal in two games where she faced 45 shots. Walsh came off of a fantastic weekend against Lake Forest last weekend and continued to play well for the Bulldogs to earn them a spot in the SLAATS Cup Finals.

**Kristin Lewicki: Lewicki continues to dominate the NCAA in the postseason, tallying three goals in two games for a team leading 32 goals and 48 points.

***Sarah Shureb: Shureb tallied an assist on Saturday night and the empty net goal on Sunday afternoon and played a big role for the Bulldogs in both games while on the powerplay and while even strength.