RIVER FALLS, Wis. - The No. 1-ranked UW-River Falls women's hockey team opened the 2024 calendar year with an 8-0 shutout over Concordia College Friday evening at Hunt Arena in the opening game of the nonconference weekend series.

The Falcons, now 13-0 overall, tied a program record winning streak and the best start to a season, matching the 2010-11 UWRF squad's 13-0 consecutive wins to open a season. 

After a scoreless first 10 minutes of the game, the flood gates opened for the Falcons after Maddie McCollins opened the scoring at the 10:40 minute mark, and the Falcons added four more goals in the next five minutes from Alex Hantge, MaKenna Aure, and Kaitlyn Ronn to give the home team a 5-0 lead after the first period.

The Falcons scored once the second, McCollins' second of the game, and twice in the third as Aure scored again and one from Madison Kadrlik.

For the third time this season, UWRF scored three power play goals as the nation's leading power play percentage stayed strong. The Falcons outshot the Cobbers 44-14 en route to their fifth shutout victory this season.

Jordan O'Kane received the start in net and collected 14 saves to pick up her third win and second shutout of the season. Megan Goodreau led the Falcons with three assists, while Bailey Olson and Ellie Brice had two apiece. 

UWRF goes for the series sweep tomorrow afternoon, hosting the Cobbers at 2:05 p.m.
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