SAINT PETER, Minn. – The No. 5-ranked UW-River Falls women's hockey team earned a 6-3 road win at No. 6-ranked Gustavus Adolphus College Wednesday evening.
 
A four-goal first period for the Falcons made the difference in UWRF's first win of the season over a ranked opponent while handing the Gusties their first loss of the year. Maddie McCollins scored two goals while Abigail Stow had a four-point night with a goal and three assists.

Sami Miller picked up 27 saves to earn the win in net, improving her record to 5-1 on the season.

It took the Falcons just four minutes to go up 2-0 in the first period. McCollins and Stow teamed up on a 2-1 opportunity to open the scoring just over a minute into the contest before Emma Schmitz scored on a breakaway not too long after. Gustavus scored its first goal of the game soon after, though, trimming the UWRF lead to 2-1.

UWRF went 2-for-2 on the power play and held the Gusties scoreless during four penalty kills.



During the Falcons' first power play chance of the night, a tic-tac-toe play from Kora Torkelson to Alex Hantge to Stow put the visitors up 3-1 at 14:28 of the first period. Just over a minute later, a shot from the point from Holly Eckers made its way through net-front traffic past the Gustie goaltender for her first goal as a Falcon, giving UWRF a 4-1 lead after the first 20 minutes.

The home team opened the scoring in the middle frame before a pair of special teams goals from the Falcons. Callie Hoff scored on the power play before a shorthanded goal from McCollins, both assisted by Stow.

GAC scored late in the second to cut the Falcon lead to 6-3, but the Falcon defense shut the door in the third period to earn the road victory.
 
The Falcons, now 9-1 overall and Gusties wrap up their series on Saturday, Dec. 11, in River Falls, Wis.