Big third period lifts Yellowjackets

Maggie Cragg

Box Score
Yellowjackets 7, Marian University 2

After the Yellowjackets suffered a pair of heart-breaking losses against UW-River Falls last weekend, a confidence booster was much needed to close out the 2014 portion of the schedule. No better opponent to help the Yellowjackets go into Christmas break in style than Marian University. The Sabres have seen their share of struggles this season with a 3-6 record. With their only wins being against Finlandia University and Concordia University (WI.), the Sabres were looking for success against a top ten squad. The Sabres tied the Yellowjackets 1-1 late in the first period, but that's as close as they got. The Yellowjackets scored four third period goals to defeat Marian University 7-2.

The Yellowjackets found success on the power play when Mikayla Goodin (Andover, Minn./Andover) slipped a shot past Sabre goaltender Ali Glazer to make the score 1-0. Maggie Cragg (Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park) and Haley Olmstead (Fargo, N.D./Fargo North) assisted the power play goal at 9:13 of the first period.

The Sabres kept things close in the first period despite being outshot 22-5. Nina Laurie slipped a shot past Yellowjacket goaltender Megan Leikkari (Thunder Bay, Ontario/Westgate CV&I) to tie the game 1-1 at 19:23 of the first period.

The Yellowjackets took control the rest of the game, scoring six consecutive goals to secure the victory. Dani Schultz (Morris, Minn./Morris Area) kicked off the second period with a goal :08 into the second period to give the Yellowjackets a 2-1 lead. Amanda Coey (Brandon, Manitoba/Crocus Plains) helped the Yellowjackets hit cruise control when she notched a goal at 7:13 of the second period to make the score 3-1.

The Yellowjackets exploded with four goals in the third period to put the dagger in the Sabres. Saige Patrick (Steinbach, Manitoba) led things off when she fired a wrist shot from the middle of the left circle to make the score 4-1 at 8:38 of the third period.

Mikayla Goodin (Andover, Minn./Andover) added her second power play goal of the game when she laced a shot past Glazer at 10:33 of the third period to extend the Yellowjacket lead to 5-1. Jessica Marsalla (Hibbing, Minn./Hibbing) didn't waste time for the Yellowjackets when she took control of the puck to create a two-on-one opportunity. Marsalla skated up to the front of the circle and fired a wrist shot that beat Glazer on the right side to make the score 6-1 at 10:53 of the third period.

Maggie Cragg (Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park) closed the scoring for the Yellowjackets when she tallied a goal at 13:44 of the third period to make the score 7-1. The Sabres narrowed the margin to 7-2 before the final buzzer when Sarah Bier put home an unassisted goal at 18:47 of the third period.

Leikkari made 17 saves for the Yellowjackets while Glazer stopped 52 shots for the Sabres.

The Yellowjackets (8-4, 3-3 WIAC) will look to sweep the Sabres tomorrow, Dec. 13 at Wessman Arena. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#13 Amanda Coey: F; 5' 6"; Sophomore

#30 Megan Leikkari: G; 5' 7"; Junior

#9 Haley Olmstead: F; 5' 9"; Senior

#6 Dani Schultz: F; 5' 4"; Senior

#11 Jessica Marsalla: F; 5' 5"; Freshman

#17 Saige Patrick: D; 5' 7"; Freshman

#20 Maggie Cragg: D; 5' 5"; Freshman

#27 Mikayla Goodin: F; 5' 5"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#13 Amanda Coey
: 5' 6"; Sophomore
: F

#30 Megan Leikkari
: 5' 7"; Junior
: G

#9 Haley Olmstead
: 5' 9"; Senior
: F

#6 Dani Schultz
: 5' 4"; Senior
: F

#11 Jessica Marsalla
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: F

#17 Saige Patrick
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: D

#20 Maggie Cragg
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: D

#27 Mikayla Goodin
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: F