Byron Center, Mich. — The penalty box was an extremely busy place on Friday, January the 13th, as the Aquinas women's hockey team racked up 18 penalties in a 5-0 loss to No. 9-ranked Maryville at the Southside Ice Arena.

Despite AQ junior goaltender Kadynce Romijn standing on her head for a majority of the game, the Saints (7-7) couldn't hang with the Saints (8-9-3) from St. Louis, Mo.

Romijn faced 81 shots and stopped 76 of them. She made 32 saves in the opening period, 24 saves in the middle frame and 20 more in the final 20 minutes. Romijn came into the contest averaging 29.3 saves per game with a 4-2 record, including two shutouts. 

Maryville only led by a goal after the first frame, even though Aquinas was called for nine minor penalties. And the visitors' lone tally was surprisingly scored at even strength before any of the penalties were called. Colleen O'Leary netted the opening-goal 29 seconds into the contest with Addison Cooper getting the assist.

As the Saints continued to visit the penalty box in the second and third periods, Maryville gradually built up its advantage with four power play goals — two in each period. Five different Saints scored for Maryville with Elle Rutherford, Sophie Brennan, Sydney Poisson and Maude St. Louis collecting the goals when they had an extra skater. Mady Johnson also had a productive game with three assists.

After being held to two shots on target in the first period, Aquinas ended up registering 22 shots on Maryville goaltender Sawyer Duncan. The junior goalie stood firm for her first shutout of the season.

Maryville was called for five penalties, making for a game total of 23 calls and 46 penalty minutes altogether.

AQ returns to action next weekend (Jan. 20-22) at the Traverse City Showcase. The Saints will play two games in three days against regional rivals: Michigan State and Lake Superior State.