NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The St. Olaf College women's hockey team scored once in each period and a 23-save shutout from senior Hannah Fritz in a 3-0 series-opening victory over Saint Mary's University on Friday night at St. Olaf Ice Arena.

Senior Molly Terebayza, sophomore Emilie Anderson, and senior Emma Heath scored in the win for St. Olaf (10-11-1, 7-7-1 MIAC), which shut out Saint Mary's (8-12-2, 4-9-2 MIAC) to remain in the fifth and final playoff spot in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) standings. Fritz stopped all 23 shots she faced to add to her program record with the 12th shutout of her career.

Terebayza netted her team-leading ninth goal of the season just 3:45 into the opening period to get St. Olaf out to an early lead. After getting the puck from Heath, Terebayza weaved past a Saint Mary's defender and scored on a wrist shot from the inner edge of the right circle. All nine of Terebayza's goals this season have come in the last 12 games.

Anderson extended the Oles' lead to 2-0 early in the second period by scoring in a 1-on-1 with the goaltender after sophomore Avery Shaw slid the puck to Anderson with the Cardinals attempting to start a line change. Anderson's goal was her sixth of the season, which ranks third on the team.

Saint Mary's nearly cut its deficit in half with just over eight minutes remaining in the second period, but Fritz barely got her stick to a shot from the slot by Celia Midtbo to turn the puck onto the crossbar. With St. Olaf still up 2-0, Fritz denied Leah Parker on the backhand in a 2-on-1 rush with a little over seven minutes to go in the third.

Heath sealed the win for the Oles with an empty-net goal with 1:20 remaining off assists from senior MaKenna Beaver and first year Kellsey Kludt. Heath's goal and an assist moved her into a tie with Terebayza for second on the team with 12 points this season.

The 23-save shutout was Fritz's third win of the season and the program-record 29th victory of her career. Magali Fillion matched Fritz with 23 saves in the loss for the Cardinals.

Game two of the series is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Saint Mary's Ice Arena on Saturday, Feb. 14.