RIVER FALLS, Wis. - The top-seeded and No. 1-ranked UW-River Falls women's hockey team defeated No. 3 seed and No. 2-ranked Gustavus Adolphus College 2-1 Saturday afternoon in front of a UWRF women's hockey program record crowd at Hunt Arena, over 1,700 fans.
The Falcons, now 29-0 overall, advance to next weekend's NCAA Tournament Semifinals, Friday, March 15. UWRF will be making its sixth "Frozen Four" appearance in program history, its first since 2016.
13 minutes into the the game, an
Aubrey Nelvin backhanded shot over the shoulder of Gustie netminder Katie McCoy gave UWRF a 1-0 lead, and the Falcons led by a goal through 20 minutes.
It took the Gusties just two minutes into the middle frame to tie the game, forcing a 1-1 tie game heading into the third period.
The Falcons earned their second lead of the game six and a half minutes into the third, with
Madison Lavergne tipping a centering pass to give the home team a 2-1 advantage. UWRF then held on for the remainder of contest for the win, aided by a Gustie penalty with just two minutes left in regulation.
Jordan O'Connor made 19 saves in net to earn the win, while the Falcons outshot the Gusties 28-20.
UWRF, the No. 1 seed, will host the remainder of the NCAA Tournament, March 15-17 at Hunt Arena in River Falls, Wis. The semifinals are slated for 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday, March 15, followed by the championship game at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 17.
