BLAINE, Minn. (uwrfsports.com) – The UW-River Falls women's hockey team started their 2016-2017 season on the right foot with victory on the road over Bethel. The Falcons got two goals from both Carly Moran and Haley Nielsen to notch a 4-0 win over the Royals. 
 
THE RUNDOWN
Final Score: UWRF 4, Bethel 0
Location: Blaine, MN
Records: UW-River Falls (1-0, 0-0 WIAC), Bethel (1-1, 0-0 MIAC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• In period one the Falcons and Royals each were called for minor penalties to skate four on four which did not lead to any scoring. Angie Hall saved four shots in the first period for UWRF with Maggie Straka saving 11 shots for the Royals to keep the score knotted at 0-0.
• The Falcons first goal of 2016 was by junior forward Carly Moran. She was assisted by Hailey Herdine and Haley Nielsen at 42 seconds in the second period.
• Soon after the goal, the Falcons were called for a minor penalty and were shorthanded. The Falcons were the best team last season with 10 and got their first one of the season when Carly Moran scored an unassisted goal at 2:51 in the second period.
• Now with the 2-0 advantage, UWRF had two more chances on the power play in the next 10 minutes but couldn't get a puck past the goalkeeper.
• On the next power play, the Falcons beat the Royals goalie with Moran's hands involved once more. Haley Nielsen scored the goal with Moran assisting at 13:11 in the second period for the Falcons second power play goal.
• At the end of the second period the Falcons had a 3-0 advantage. In the third period, the Royals would have their chances with two power play opportunities in an eight minute period at one point having the 4-3 player advantage. The Falcons would kill every penalty and keep their 3-0 lead.
• UWRF would cement their victory with a fourth goal at the 16:45 mark in the third period. Haley Nielsen scored her second goal of the game on an unassisted goal.
• In total the Falcons killed five penalties and went 2-7 on their own power play.
• Moran finished the game with a game high eight shots with four coming in the third period. Senior Dani Sibley was second on the team with five shots in the game.
• Angie Hall played all 60 minutes in the game and saved 12 shots, five of them coming in the third period.
• Haley Herdine won 12 faceoffs in the game for UWRF out of 22 chances. Jilayne Gilbert was second on the team with six faceoff victories out of her eight opportunities.

 
THE OPPOSITION

• The Royals were led by Kaitlyn VanTassel and Megan O'Brian who had two shot each in the game.
• Maggie Straka saved 38 shots on the night where she saw 42 shots.
• Bethel won 26 faceoffs in the game out of a total of 55. VanTassel was their best with 12 wins out of her 20 chances.

 
LOOKING AHEAD
UW-River Falls will return home against Bethel on November 4^th at 7:05 to play their first game in the renovated Hunt Arena. The Falcons will then host St. Thomas in a rematch of the NCAA quarterfinal game in 2015-16 at 7:05 at Hunt Arena.