RIVER FALLS, Wis. - The No. 5-ranked UW-River Falls women's hockey team opened the 2022 calendar year with a 4-3 over Concordia College Friday evening at Hunt Arena.

UWRF improves to 11-1 overall with its fourth consecutive win while remaining undefeated at home despite a depleted lineup with 14 skaters.

Abigail Stow and Reilly Springman gave the Falcons a 2-0 lead in the first period, but the Cobbers struck to cut the UWRF lead to 2-1 heading into the first intermission.

The Falcons and Cobbers traded goals in the middle frame. It took Maddie McCollins just 44 seconds to put UWRF up 3-1, scoring on a break off an outlet pass from Kiana Gilbraith. UWRF found itself in penalty trouble in the second period though, and Concordia capitalized with a power play goal to once again trim the Falcons' lead to one heading into the third period.

Early into the third period, the Cobbers forced a Falcon turnover and tied the game at 3-3. UWRF didn't falter, scoring just 30 seconds later with Hadley Malcolmson's first goal of the year, the eventual game-winner.

Jordan O'Connor made her first start in net since Nov. 13 and made 17 saves to earn in the win, improving her record to 3-0 on the season.

UWRF outshot Concordia 34-20 and was 0-for-3 on the power play. McCollins led the Falcons with a career-high eight shots on goal.
 
The Falcons go for the series sweep tomorrow afternoon against the Cobbers at 2:05 p.m. from Hunt Arena.