Zach Anderson

The first place Rainy River Community College women’s hockey team finished off a two-game sweep of SDSU, defeating the Jackrabbits 5-3 on Dec. 2 at Larson Ice Center.

In a defensive struggle that featured 42 total penalties over two games, two third period goals for RRCC proved to be the difference.

“I think we just got a little tired and they kept chipping away,” SDSU Coach Dallas Shearer said. “We didn’t get the bounces in the last period like we did in the first and second. That happens in hockey.”

RRCC (6-2) scored first on a goal from Megan Pinette and assist from Brooke Rundell, but SDSU (6-2) quickly countered with a goal of its own from Ashley Verdeck assisted by Andi Ribstein. Both defenses held their own until Verdeck scored again with an assist from Sarah Jensen that gave SDSU the lead 2-1 after the first period.

Pinette scored twice in the second period to give the Voyageurs a 3-2 lead before SDSU’s Natalie Domagala scored to tie the score 3-3. Two goals in the third period by RRCC put the game out of reach for the Jacks. Stephanie Desmeules made the game-winning goal with 13:37 remaining in the third period and Rundell added a goal of her own to make the score 5-3.

Lacey Mark allowed three goals on 20 shots and held the Jacks scoreless throughout the entire third period sealing the win.

“I’m proud of our girls,” Shearer said. “They kept skating hard. It was a good game.”

Verdeck led SDSU with two goals. Domagala scored the only other goal. Jensen had two assists and Ribstein added another in the loss. Stephanie Mason allowed five goals on 34 shot attempts for the Jacks.