The Falcon women's hockey team lost a 4-2 decision at Gustavus Adolphus in a NCAA Tournament first round game on Saturday afternoon in St. Peter, Minn.

"We didn't stick to our game plan and that hurt us bad," said Falcon Coach Joe Cranston after the game. "I thought we had a good firrst period and a great third period. It was a great atmosphere and it was great to see all those Falcon fans cheering us on."

In the first period at the five minute mark there was a Falcon turnover at center ice and the Gusties came in on a two-on-one. But Falcon goalie Melissa Deardorff made the save and covered the rebound.

At 11:59 UWRF's Kendal Evenson picked up a minor penalty for tripping. The Falcon penalty killers allowed just one shot on goal. Just after the penalty ended Alyssa Jackson had a shot on goal and the Falcons put on some offensive zone pressure.

A minute later GAC's Jenna Christensen blocked a Falcon shot at the point and the pucked rebounded to center ice. Christensen had a break away, but Deardorff made the save. But Heather Horgen was called for hooking on the play setting up the second GAC power play of the period. The Falcons gave up four shots on goal but the game remained scoreless.

With just 25 seconds to play the Falcons scored the game's first goal. Katie Batters took control of the puck in the Falcons' offensive zone and skate from her right to left at the top of the circles. She put a backhand on the Gustie goal and it deflected off a GAC player in front and past goalie, Danielle Justice. It was her team-best 18th goal of the year.

GAC held an 8-6 advantage in shots in part thanks to the two power plays they enjoyed. Batters led UWRF with three shots on goal in the period. 

Just 18 seconds into the second period the Gusties tied the game when Allie Schwab put a shot on goal that Deardorff got a piece off. But it bounced over her shoulder and into the net. At 2:37 Mason took an interference penalty putting GAC back on the power play for the third time. Forty seconds into the power play UWRF's Katie Flanagan had a short-handed chance that Justice was able to stop. GAC finished with five shots on goal.

At 9:03 UWRF's Emma Nordness was called for hooking putting GAC on the power play again. This time the Gusties converted. At 7:58 Mollie Carroll beat Deardorff with a top shelf shot to give her team a 2-1 lead.

The Falcons went on their first power play at 9:08 when GAC took a penalty for roughing. The Falcons had two shots on goal during the player advantage.

For the next three minutes the Falcons had the best of the play, but couldn't score.

At 15:49 GAC scored its third goal of the game. Schwab netted her second of the game beating Deardorff five hole with a shot from the left face off dot.

The period ended with GAC having an 18-5 advantage in shots on goal for the 20 minute session.

"We were very flat in the second period," said Cranston. "We gave up that early goal and lost the momentum. Our play in the second period cost us the game."

At 5:07 the Falcons went on the power play when GAC was called for hooking. Early in the advantage the Gusties took a second penalty for roughing and the Falcons had 1:42 two player advantage. The Falcons controlled play in the GAC zone throughout the advantage and had six shots on goal.

The Falcons couldn't take advantage of the power play but they scored just moments after the advantage ended. At 7:28 Alice Cranston banged home the puck after a scramble in front of the Gustie net. It was her 17th goal of the year and brought the Falcons to within 3-2.

Flanagan took a cross checking penalty at 9:34 giving GAC another power play chance. But just 14 second later GAC took a tripping penalty to set up a four-on-four situation. Gustavus took advantage of the situation with a goal at 10:37. Amanda Cartony got the goal to give her team another two-goal advantage, 4-2.

At 11:23 Cranston took a minor for slashing and GAC had a 1:41 power play to work with. With 30 seconds left in the man advantage Gustavus took a minor for checking. GAC had two shots on goal in the man advantage.

The Falcons had two shots on goal in their 1:30 of power play, but couldn't score.

With 2:29 to play the Gusties took a minor for checking giving the Falcons another power play chance. UWRF had two shots on goal during the power play. With 30 seconds to play GAC took another minor but the Falcons could not score. The Falcons had a 14-10 advantage in shots for the period.

Deardorff finished with 32 saves and Justice stopped 24 Falcon shots. Deardorff finished the year with a 16-4 record.

UWRF ended its season with a 23-5-2 record while GAC improved to 24-2-2.

Box Score