ST. PETER, Minn. – The St. Olaf College women's hockey team fell, 2-1, in overtime to fifth-ranked Gustavus Adolphus College in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) series finale between the two programs on Saturday at Don Roberts Ice Rink.

After the teams traded first-period goals 27 seconds apart, the score remained locked at 1-1 until Lily Mortenson won it for Gustavus (2-2-0, 1-1-0 MIAC) at 1:55 of overtime. Despite the loss, St. Olaf (2-4-0, 1-1-0 MIAC) still came away with three of a possible six points in the series against the nationally-ranked Gusties.

The loss was the sixth consecutive one-goal game for the Oles to start the season, three of which have gone to overtime.

Coming off a 3-2 overtime victory the night before for St. Olaf's first win over Gustavus since 2012, first year Bella LaMere gave the Oles an early 1-0 lead with a power-play goal at 2:26 of the first period. The goal was the sophomore's first of the season and sixth of LaMere's career. Senior Solvei Berg-Messerole earned an assist on the goal for her fourth point of the weekend.

St. Olaf's lead only lasted 27 seconds, however, as Taylor Insley tied the game at 1-1 at 2:53 for Gustavus. The Gusties outshot the Oles by a 21-4 margin in shots on goal over the second and third periods, but neither team was able to break the deadlock.
Just 50 seconds into overtime, St. Olaf was assessed a tripping penalty to set up a 4-on-3 power play. Gustavus cashed in on the opportunity with Mortenson's game-winner 1:05 later.

Senior Hannah Fritz made double-digit saves in all three periods of regulation and finished with 35 stops for St. Olaf. Ava Jovan had 11 saves to pick up the win for Gustavus.

The Oles will take on the College of Saint Benedict next weekend, beginning with a 6 p.m. start at Ritsche Arena in St. Cloud on Friday, Nov. 21.