Ambria Thomas netted a hat trick, scoring a goal in all three periods, as Minnesota opened its season with a 4-1 victory over St. Cloud State on Saturday.
La Toya Clarke assisted on each of Thomas’ goals for the Gophers, who outshot the Huskies 39-24.
Thomas scored 22 seconds into the game to give Minnesota the lead and extended it to two just over a minute into the second period.
St. Cloud’s Ricki-Lee Doyle cut the lead in half with a power-play goal 40 seconds after Thomas’ second goal.
Thomas scored her third goal with 2:56 left in the third, and Tracy Engstrom closed the scoring for the Gophers at 18:53.
Minnesota goaltender Erica Killewald made 23 saves to earn the victory. Laura Gieselman stopped 35 shots for the Huskies.
