River Falls, Wis.- The UW-River Falls women's hockey team opens their 2017-18 season this weekend as they travel to Adrian, Mich. to compete in the Adrian College Tournament. The Falcons will play Norwich University at 3:30 p.m. Friday.
 
The Falcons have claimed four straight O'Brien Cup titles and have made nine consecutive NCAA championship appearances. Their 29 victories last season matched the program single-season record from the 2014-15 campaign. This year's roster features 13 returning letter winners from a season ago, including senior forward Carly Moran and senior goalie Angie Hall.
 
Moran is a two-time All-WIAC First Team selection and has compiled 59 goals, 62 assists and 121 points in her career. All three totals rank her in the top eight of the WIAC's all-time lists.
 
Hall is also a two-time All-WIAC First Team honoree and ranks second in WIAC history with 67 career wins and ninth with 1,367 career saves. She has also amassed 13 career shutouts.
 
Head Coach Joe Cranston begins his 19^th season at UW-River Falls. Cranston is the only head coach in the program's history and has a career record of 336-132-40.
 
UW-River Falls has been predicted to win the 2018 WIAC women's ice hockey championship, based on a preseason poll conducted by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.
 
2017-18 Preseason Predictions - Voted on by WIAC Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors
 
                                                                2016-17 Record
1.  UW-River Falls                             26-3 overall, 7-2 WIAC
2.  UW-Eau Claire                             18-9-1, 5-4
3.  UW-Stevens Point                        13-12-2, 4-5
4.  UW-Superior                                 12-15, 2-7