Box Score
Duluth, MN. – The St. Scholastica Women's hockey team fell in their home opener to the Falcons from Wisconsin-River Falls this afternoon. The Falcons claimed an early 2-0 lead after the first period, which was followed by a strong offensive performance by the Saints who scored twice in the second period. Ultimately, the Falcons came out on top by scoring the last three goals of the contest, taking today's game by a score of 5-2. 

How it Happened
First Period
The Falcons got off to a fast start offensively, scoring just three and a half minutes into the opening period to take an early 1-0 lead over CSS. 
Despite the Saints getting a trio of attempts to even the score at 1-1, the Falcons scored once again at the 12:55 mark to extend its lead to 2-0. 
The Falcons offense continued to outperform the Saints in the shot department throughout the middle stages of the period, but a strong showing from goalkeeper Makenzie Cole (Cohasset, Minn./Grand Rapids HS) kept the score at 2-0. 
Hanley Block (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria HS) and Hannah Martin (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS) tried to get the Saints on the board, but their opportunities were denied as the Saints were held scoreless. 
The Saints had the final opportunity to score in the final moments of the opening period, but shots from Martin and Lyndi Schubert (Mantorville, Minn./Kasson-Mantorville HS) were denied. UW-River Falls took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission. 

Second Period
Cole got off to a hot start to begin the second period, recording six saves in the first five minutes. 
Moments later, Martin scored the first goal of the afternoon off an assist from Gabby Gamst (Moose Lake, Minn./Moose Lake HS) to get the Saints on the board at the 7:13 mark. 
Less than a minute later, at the 8:02 mark, the Saints evened the score at 2-2 courtesy of a goal from Block with an assist going to Taylor Leonard (Mound, Minn./Mound Westonka HS). 
After the Saints were handed a minor penalty, the Falcons were able to get three shots off on the powerplay, but the Saints were able to shut down the Falcons with help from Jenna Horvat (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS), who blocked two shots on the powerplay. 
In the closing minutes of the second period, the Saints were handed another minor penalty and this time the Falcons capitalized with a goal at the 18:28 mark to take a 3-2 lead after two periods. 

Third Period
UW-River Falls began the third period with four shots on goal in the first five minutes, but the Saints were able to turn away the Falcons and hold the score at 3-2. 
St. Scholastica got shots on goal from Schubert, Block and Victoria Nelson (Mahtomedi, MN/Mahtomedi HS), but were turned away as the Falcons clinged to a 3-2 lead. 
Seconds later, the Falcons would score on a breakaway at the 7:31 mark in the third period to expand their lead to 4-2 over the Saints. 
The Saints were able to kill another penalty minutes later, but the Falcons would score once more at the 13:55 mark to hold a three-goal lead over the Saints. 
After the Falcons were handed a minor penalty, the Saints powerplay went to work, and despite shots from Paige Blattner (Avon, Minn./River Lakes HS) and Sarah Parent, the Falcons penalty kill would hold the Saints scoreless in the period. 
Leonard would record a blocked shot for CSS in the final seconds of the period, as the Falcons would come away with a 5-2 victory over the Saints today. 

Top Performers:
Hannah Martin (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS) and Hanley Block (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria HS) both scored their first goals of the season.
Taylor Leonard (Mound, Minn./Mound Westonka HS) and Gabby Gamst (Moose Lake, Minn./Moose Lake HS) both recorded an assist in today's game, with Leonard also recording a team-high four blocked shots.
Makenzie Cole (Cohasset, Minn./Grand Rapids HS) recorded a season-high 50 saves with a .909 save percentage in today's contest.

Up Next
The Saints (0-2-0, 0-0-0) will be back in action next Friday, November 15, where they will host the Bennies from the College of Saint Benedict at Mars Lakeview Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.