Two hat-tricks by Hailey Carothers helped the Lakeland College Rustlers women’s hockey team sweep a weekend away in Olds.
The Olds College Broncos proved to be no match for the first-place Rustlers over two games.
The Rustlers won 5-1 on Feb. 8, which was followed with an 11-1 win on Feb. 9.
Carothers led the charge, scoring six goals across both games. Sydney Grover had four points and Olivia Mann added five assists.
Saturday’s start: Rustlers take control
The Rustlers started strong on Feb. 8. Carothers opened the scoring late in the first period. She added another in the second, putting Lakeland up 2-0.
Olds College got on the board in the third. Brogan Carlson scored on the power play, assisted by Tessa Knisely and Caybri De Jong.
Lakeland responded with three unanswered goals. Alyssa Shaw, Asha Petrie, and Carothers sealed the win.
Goaltender Mackenzie Gould-Sharpe made 17 saves for the Rustlers.
Sunday: Rustlers explode
The Rustlers dominated from the start in Sunday’s rematch. They scored five times in the first period and never looked back.
Carothers recorded another hat trick. Sydney Grover scored twice. Amiyah Jones, Austyn Eaton, Kylie Perry, Olivia Mann, Addison Eurich, and Ella Wingert each added a goal.
Shaye Thompson stopped 10 shots for the Rustlers.
Zenith Vanstone scored Olds College’s lone goal in the third period.
Coach and player reactions
Head coach Morgan Mann praised his team’s performance, especially the Feb. 9 game.
“We had a strong weekend, putting up 16 goals. Our first game was a little sloppy, but we were really pleased with how we played yesterday,” said Mann. “Everything was clicking, and sometimes you just have those games where things go right—that was the case yesterday.”
Looking ahead:
The women will likely set another ACAC season win and goal total by the end of the year, but they don’t want to get ahead of themselves.
“We’ve secured first place going into the playoffs. Having home ice is a big advantage, but the playoffs are a whole new season—everyone starts fresh,” Said Mann. “As good as our season has been, we hope to be playing our best hockey in a couple of weeks.”
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