St. Cloud State
2-5-0, 1-2-0-0WCHA
Minnesota State
1-5-1, 0-3-0-0WCHA
Kluge, Tylke rally Huskies past Minnesota State, 4-2
10/27/2017 6:15:00 PM | Women's Hockey
Julia Tylke notches game-wining goal in her return to the Huskies lineup
MANKATO—The St. Cloud State women's hockey team (2-5-0, 1-2-0 WCHA) exorcised a number of its demons on Friday as it rallied past Minnesota State in the third period (1-5-1, 0-3-0), 4-2, to earn its first conference win of the season.
The Huskies four-goal outburst—which snapped a four-game scoring drought and included their first power play goal of the season—was a season high and, in the eyes of their head coach, a long-deserved compensation for the team's recent string of positive play.
"We got what we have earned over the last couple of weeks," Eric Rud said. "We have played some pretty good hockey and have not been rewarded."
With the score tied at two with less than 11 minutes to play, junior forward Julia Tylke struck the decisive blow for SCSU in her return to the lineup. Tylke had missed the previous two weeks due to illness and though she felt "sluggish" by her own admission, it didn't stop her from scoring yet another highlight reel-worthy goal in a crucial situation.
"You certainly miss those types of plays when you don't have a player like that in the lineup," Rud said. "When you can make a play out of nowhere it is pretty special and she has the ability to do that."
SWEETNESS!
— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) October 28, 2017
Julia Tylke's game-winning goal for @SCSUHUSKIES_WHK at Minnesota State! pic.twitter.com/R4nPZ4hCyZ
Redshirt sophomore Dana Rasmussen staked the Huskies to the game's first lead, and ended the team's 260:12 goal-less stretch, with just over five minutes left in the first. The Mavericks rattled off a pair of second period goals, though, to grab a 2-1 advantage—which they appeared primed to take with them into the third until SCSU's dormant power play came to life.
With just over a minute to play in the middle frame, freshman forward Laura Kluge poked home a man advantage marker to draw the Huskies level and snap their power play's 0-for-14 start to the season. The goal was part of a three point night (1G, 2A) for the German rookie. She is the first St. Cloud State freshman to record three points in a game since Holly Roberts on Feb. 24, 2007 at UMD.
"Her speed causes trouble for the other team and puts pressure on defensemen," Rud said of Kluge. "We love the way she has started her career here and think she has a lot of potential for our program."
"Her goal was a big point in the game."
After falling behind, Kluge's goal gave the Huskies the confidence they needed to complete their rally in the third period. After Tylke returned SCSU's lead back for good, sophomore forward Janna Haeg salted the win away with her first of the season late in the final stanza.
The breakout offensive effort was powered by four different goal scorers, while seven different Huskies charted a point.
"It was nice to have so many people contributing," Tylke said. "Every line is going to have to score and get more shots for us to succeed."
Sophomore goaltender Janine Alder earned her first win of the season with a 25 save effort. It was also a milestone afternoon as Rasmussen, sophomore defender Abby Thiessen (two assists) and freshman defender Hannah Bates (two assists) each recorded their first points in a red and black uniform.
St. Cloud State wraps up its two-game WCHA set at Minnesota State on Saturday, October 28. Puck drop is scheduled for 2:07 p.m. at the Verizon Center.
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