RIVER FALLS, Wis. — The top-ranked UW-River Falls women's hockey team opened its 2024-25 season with an 8-2 win over the College of Saint Benedict at Hunt Arena.
The Falcons, coming off a national championship 2023-24 season with a 31-0 record, the most single season wins in NCAA Division III women's ice hockey history, extended their overall winning streak to 32 games to break another DIII record. The 32 wins in a row sets a DIII overall win streak record, topping the Middlebury College win streak of 31 wins set from Nov. 19, 2021-Nov. 26, 2022.
UWRF scored goals in each period, including a four-goal middle frame to lead the Falcons to victory.
Kennedi Bielenberg-Howarth opened the scoring in the second period, scoring her first goal as a Falcon for the eventual game-winner. Saint Ben's broke the shutout six minutes into the second period, and added a power play goal late in the period to trim the Falcon lead to 6-2. UWRF then shut out the visitors for the rest of regulation while scoring twice more in the third period.
Five Falcons with multi-point games, featuring two-goal efforts by
Ellie Brice and
Katherine Bell and a three-point night (one goal, two assists) from
Sami Pool in her first game as a Falcon.
Megan Goodreau and
Kaitlyn Ronn had two assists each.
Jordan O'Kane made the start in net and made 16 saves in the win. She was relieved by freshman
Catt Donna in the final 10 minutes.
UWRF went 1-for-6 on the power play, and outshot the Bennies 26-18.
The Falcons (1-0, 0-0 WIAC) return to Hunt Arena next Friday, Nov. 8 to host Augsburg University.
