The Falcon women opened up their 2011-12 season on Saturday afternoon in front of 285 excited fans at Hunt Arena with a 5-2 victory over the Bulldogs of Adrian College.

Last season, the Falcon women maintained an unheard of undefeated record in the regular season, while losing to Gustavus Adolphus College in the first round of the D3 NCAA tournament.

Starting at goaltender for the Falcons was senior goaltender Melissa Deardorff (Anchorage, AK, Anchorage North Stars). Deardorff is entering the season as the go-to starting goalie for the Falcons and has been placed in 40 games throughout her collegiate career. Deardorff has also earned a place on the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll every year she has worn a Falcon uniform.

Starting in net for Adrian College was Emily Michelin.

Scoring the first Falcon goal of the season was the team captain, Emma Nordness (Excelsior, MN, Benilde-St. Margaret's HS), just 3:43 into the first period. Nordness, a senior presence and leader in the Falcon locker room, was assisted by teammates Kait Mason (Eagan, MN, Eagan HS) and Alyssa Jackson (Cambridge, MN, Cambridge-Isanti HS) on the score.

Alyssa Black (Mankato, MN, West HS) extended UWRF's lead at 8:18 in the period with an unassisted, 5 on 5 score.

Bre Drude (North St. Paul, MN, North St. Paul HS) would then go on to give the Falcons a 3 goal lead a 13:56. Drude was assisted by fellow veterans Brook Story (Warroad, MN, Warroad HS) and Katie Batters (Champlin, MN, Champlin Park HS) on the score. Following Drude's goal, Michelin would be replaced by Brittany Zeches as the goaltender for the Bulldogs. Zeches would stay in net for the remainder of the game.

Katie Flanagan (Roseville, MN, Roseville HS) would be tagged for a cross-checking penalty at 16:24, however it would prove to make little difference for the Bulldogs. As soon as Flanagan was released from the penalty box, she was hit with a perfect pass from Story as she took it to the net undefended. The official time on the goal was 18:31.

Adrian would go on to score their first goal of the night at 12:35 in the second period. The goal came on the stick of Hannah McGowan, unassisted on a breakaway chance. McGowan's goal was the only score of the second period.

Nordness was cited for cross-checking at 5:45 in the third period, and the Bulldogs would capitalize on the opportunity for the lone power play goal of the game just a mere ten seconds later. The goal was scored by Kelly Salis, unassisted.

At 14:19, Drude would go on to tally her second goal of the evening to put the nail in the Bulldog's coffin. Drude was assisted by Story on the goal, who tallied an impressive three assists in Saturday afternoon's matchup.

Deardorff made a total of 20 saves throughout the game while only allowing the two Bulldog scores. Shots were very even however, with the Falcons outshooting the Bulldogs just 23-22.

Following the game, Falcon Head Coach Joe Cranston had this to say: “For our first game, and the fact that this is Adrian's third game, I'm very happy with our game today. According to Cranston, “Scoring four goals in the first period and coming out strong to start was the difference in the game.”

The Falcons will face off against Adrian again for the second matchup of the two game weekend series tomorrow night at Hunt Arena. The puck is set to drop at 12:05.

Box Score