ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The No. 4-ranked UW-River Falls women's hockey team earned a 7-3 win at the College of Saint Benedict Tuesday evening, breaking an NCAA Division III record for most short-handed goals scored in a single game with four.
Just two of the Falcons' seven goals were even-strength tallies, including one on the power play and four shorthanded to break an NCAA single-game record. The previous DIII record of three has been set by six teams, most recently by Chatham vs. Lebanon Valley in 2021.
UWRF's offense was led by six different scorers, including a goal credited to goaltender
Pistol Cowden.
After CSB took the game's first lead, a
Callie Hoff goal late in the first led to an even score at the first intermission before the Falcons broke out for three goals in each on the final two periods.
The Bennies held an 11-7 edge in shots on goal through the first period, in which UWRF answered by out-shooting the home team 45-9 in the final two periods.
Just one of the next six Falcons goal came was an even-strength goal as UWRF scored one on the power play and four shorthanded goals. Shorties from
Maddie McCollins and
Callie Hoff and a power play goal from
Holly Eckers gave the Falcons a 4-3 lead after the second.
UWRF allowed just three CSB shots on goal in the third period while goals from
Abigail Stow,
Erin Olson, and Cowden sealed the win. Down 6-4, the Bennies elected to pull their goalie for an extra attacker, and an errant pass went off Cowden's stick and across the ice into a CSB empty net for the goal.
Jordan O'Connor started in goal for the Falcons before she was relieved in the third period by Cowden, making 14 saves to earn the win.
With the win, the Falcons improve to 21-1 overall with their 14th consecutive victory while wrapping up its non-conference schedule undefeated with a 15-0 record.
The Falcons have a bye this weekend before wrapping up the regular season next weekend against No. 5-ranked UW-Eau Claire, battling for the top seed in the WIAC Playoffs and conference regular season title.
