The Falcon women's hockey team extended their opening season winning streak to three games in a row on Friday night. The Falcons traveled to Duluth, Minnesota to take on the St. Scholastica Saints for the first of a two game weekend series.
After starting the season with back-to-back wins against NCHA foe Adrian, the Falcons went on the road for the first time in the young season. The Saints also came into the game at 2-0 with two 4-3 wins over UW-Eau Claire last weekend.
The Falcons began their solid play in the first period as they killed off two penalties and had four power plays. The period ended in a stalemate as both teams skated to a 0-0 tie.
The Falcons shot 11 times, but were unable to set up a successful scoring chance. Senior goalie Melissa Deardorff (Anchorage, AK, Anchorage North Stars) started in goal for UWRF and capped off a quiet first period with four saves. Saints goalie Shannon Connolly played a solid period as she racked up 11 saves and kept a high scoring Falcon offense off the score sheet for the first 20 minutes.
The second period made up for a quiet first period as the Falcons scored four goals and the Saints answered with two.
At 5:30 in the second period, Falcon freshman Alice Cranston (River Falls, WI, St. Croix Valley HS) scored her third of the year as she beat Connolly to put the Falcons up 1-0. Alyssa Black (Mankato, MN, West HS) and Kendal Evenson (Roseville, MN, Roseville HS) were both credited with assists on the goal.
Just under two minutes later, at 6:54, the Saints answered as Jordan Klimek took a pass from Monika Waidacher and put it in the net to tie the game up at 1-1.
The tie wouldn't stand for long as freshman defender Allie Olson (Monticello, MN, North Wright County HS) scored just 17 seconds later. The unassisted goal was her first of the season and gave the Falcons a 2-1 lead.
At 10:51 in the second period, the Saints would tie the game once again as Nina Waidacher scored her third goal of the season to make the score 2-2.
The Falcons reclaimed the lead at 12:04 and never looked back. Katie Flanagan (Roseville, MN, Roseville HS) assisted Jami Weiss (Hermantown, MN, Proctor-Hermantown HS) and she beat Connolly to give the Falcons a 3-2 lead.
Just over a minute later, Katie Batters (Champlin, MN, Champlin Park HS) netted her second goal of the year with an assist from Judy Daleiden (Blaine, MN, Blaine HS). The goal gave the Falcons a 4-2 lead going into the third period.
The Falcons fired 14 shots on goal in the second period and the Saints shot the puck 10 times.
UWRF took control of the game in the third period as they kept the Saints off of the scoreboard and padded the lead.
At 10:41 in the third period, Olson scored her second goal of the game to extend the Falcon lead to 5-2. The goal was assisted by Alyssa Jackson (Cambridge, MN, Cambridge-Isanti HS) and Emma Nordness (Excelsior, MN, Benilde-St. Margaret's HS).
Just 1:02 later, at 11:43, Flanagan scored with assists from Weiss and Crysta Lowell (White Bear Lake, MN, White Bear Lake HS). The goal gave the Falcons a 6-2 lead that would eventually stand as the final.
UWRF had 10 shots in the third period and 35 for the game. St. Scholastica had nine shots in the third and finished with 23.
“We played three very solid periods,” said Falcon Coach Joe Cranston. “St. Scholastica is a much improved team and they worked hard. We threw a strong fore check against them and that helped us to the win.”
Despite a solid game by the Falcons, their struggles on the power play continued Friday night as they went 0-6 through three periods. They have yet to score a power play goal this season in 17 attempts.
Deardorff recorded 21 saves for UWRF as she improves her record to 2-0 on the season. Connolly stopped 29 for the Saints and her record falls to 1-1.
The Falcons extend their early season undefeated record to 3-0. St. Scholastica takes their first loss as they fall to 2-1.
The Falcons and Saints will play the second game of the weekend series on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
Box Score
