WINONA, Minn. – The No. 1-ranked UW-River Falls women's hockey team completed a season-opening sweep of Saint Mary's University with a 7-4 victory Saturday evening.
The Falcons improved to 2-0-0 on the year after racing out to a three-goal lead, weathering a Saint Mary's comeback attempt, and pulling away with two key third-period goals.
UWRF struck quickly for the second straight night, getting on the board just 1:01 into the contest when Gracyn Knowles scored an unassisted goal. The Falcons continued their early surge as Blake Schultz scored twice in a 19-second span at 3:06 and 3:25 to build a 3-0 advantage less than four minutes into the opening period. Saint Mary's answered with a power-play goal late in the frame to trim the deficit to 3-1 heading into the first intermission.
The Cardinals carried momentum into the second period, scoring at 2:18 to pull within one. Schultz answered less than two minutes later, completing her first career hat trick at 4:03 off assists from Sami Pool and Sophia Hess. Hess added her first goal of the season at 8:32 to restore a three-goal cushion at 5-2 before Saint Mary's connected on another power-play goal late in the period to make it 5-3.
SMU made one final push early in the third, scoring just 48 seconds into the period to cut the lead to 5-4. The Falcons quickly regained control when Hess scored her second goal of the night at 5:55, restoring a two-goal advantage. Knowles sealed the victory with her second goal of the game at 13:20 as UWRF closed out the 7-4 win.
Hess led the Falcons with a five-point night, recording two goals and three assists. Schultz finished with a hat trick and an assist, while Pool collected four assists. Knowles added two goals in the victory.
Olivia Hansen earned the win in goal, making 20 saves. The Falcons outshot Saint Mary's 29-24 and controlled the faceoff circle, winning 28 of 48 draws. Hess led UWRF with 14 faceoff wins, while Knowles added 10.
UWRF returns to action next Thursday, Nov. 5 to host nationally ranked Augsburg University.
