Minnesota Scene: Tommies win MIAC women's hockey playoff title

St. Thomas defeated visiting Gustavus 2-0 on Saturday in the MIAC women's hockey playoff championship game, ending a string of 10 Gusties playoff titles.

Megan Juricko scored at 2:08 of the opening period. Paige Baldwin made it 2-0 about 10 minutes later. Goalie Alise Riedel made 29 saves for the shutout.

The victory gives St. Thomas (19-5-3) the MIAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament. Gustavus (17-8-2) will find out Monday if it receives an at-large bid.

• Jordan Lovick's goal late in the second period gave top-seeded St. Thomas a 2-1 victory over Gustavus in the championship game of the men's tournament. Cory Leivermann scored for the Gusties. Drew Fielding had 30 saves for the Tommies (21-4-2), John McLean 25 for the Gusties.

St. Thomas won the men's and women's titles in the MIAC indoor track and field meet in Collegeville, Minn. It was the 30th conference title in a row for the men, the 15th for the women.

Brian Jarvey of the Tommies won the 200 (22.44 seconds) and 400 (49.68) and anchored the winning 800 relay (1:29.46) to help them compile 186 points. St. Olaf was second with 126 points and Hamline third with 115.5.

Bryan Thell was another double winner for St. Thomas, taking first in the shot put (49-6½) and weight throw (58-8).

Mallory Burnham of St. Thomas won the 60 (7.63) and the 60 hurdles (8.67), setting meet records in both races. She also led off the winning 800 relay (1:43.06) and took second in the 200 (25.72).

The Gophers split two games Saturday in the Chanticleer Classic in Myrtle Beach, S.C. They lost 5-2 to Elon in their first game. Lucas Bakker of the Phoenix (9-4) pitched a five-hitter and struck out six. He retired 18 consecutive batters from the second inning to the ninth.

But the Gophers beat host Coastal Carolina by the same score, 5-2, in the second game when they scored three runs in the ninth. Connor Schaefbauer's run-scoring double broke a 2-2 tie. Dan Olinger and Bobby Juan following with run-scoring singles for the Gophers (7-4). Olinger's hit extended his hitting streak to 11 games.

• No. 11 Wisconsin-Whitewater, after tailing by four points at halftime, defeated St. Thomas 87-78 in a second round NCAA Division III playoff game at Schoenecker Arena. Kristen Ruchti scored 25 points for the Warhawks. Taylor Young had 21 points and Jenna Dockter 20 for the Tommies (25-5).