The Hamline University Women’s hockey team opened their Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) play impressively, securing a weekend sweep over Saint Mary’s University, winning 4–1 win on Friday, Nov. 14, and 5–0 on Saturday, Nov 15.

On Friday, playing at TRIA rink in front of their fans, the Pipers came out with strong energy and passion. From the first faceoff of the game, Hamline came out ready to battle as they peppered the Cardinals with 15 shots on goal in the first period.

Despite Hamline’s strong start early in the game, Saint Mary’s goaltending was off to a great start as they were able to keep the game scoreless after one.

The Pipers were able to break through first as they got on the board early in the first period. Sophomore forward Grace Delmonico opened the scoring at 4:49 with assists from first-year forwards Kaiya Sandy and Ella Rothe.

Keeping the momentum going, six minutes later, Hamline doubled its score at 10:29 with a goal from sophomore forward Calie Peterson. Rothe recorded another assist, marking a two point night for her.

Hamline took a 2–1 lead into the third period, where they punctuated their victory with two more goals, making the final score 4–1. Scoring was sophomore Brooke Klemz and junior defenseman Abigail Chamernick. Klemz was assisted by Delmonico and sophomore defenseman Ellie Newpower, while Chamernick was assisted by senior forward Annika Lindgren and junior forward Macy Peterson.

Senior netminder Kendra Nordick was able to remain steady throughout the game, stopping 17 shots to secure the win.

The following day on Nov 15, the Pipers traveled where the river flows to Saint Mary’s to play the second game of a double header.

Throughout the first period, both the Pipers and the Cardinals were able to hold each other off, leaving the game scoreless after one.

Moving into the second, this period had Hamline written all over it as they came out dominating the Cardinals. Hamline capitalized the first three minutes into the period with a goal from junior forward Anaabel Mehta at 3:29 with an assist from Lindgren.

Four minutes later, first-year forward Nina Thorton scored again for Hamline at 7:14, making it 2–0 Hamline. Assisting on the goal was Delmonico.

Coming at 15:53 of the second, Hamline scored their first power play goal of the series against the Cardinals when Reese Heitzman took a two minute minor for tripping. The Pipers were able to connect on a snipe from sophomore forward Ashlyn Abrahamson and the assist from Chamernick. This goal gave the Pipers a 3–0 lead going into the third period.

Going into the third, Hamline came into the period with time still left on a remaining power play from the second as they scored 34 seconds in with another power play goal. Scoring the goal was Thorton, earning her second goal of the night. She was assisted by Chamernick, who also earned her second point of the night.

Hamline capitalized one more time in the third to make the score 5–0 with a goal from Abrahamson. She was unassisted.

For both games, start to finish, the Pipers were able to get strong efforts throughout the lineup. They will use this momentum as they head into the long stretch of conference play throughout the remainder of their season.