After suffering a tough, late-game loss to No. 5 Gustavus Adolphus College, things weren't getting any easier for the St. Catherine University hockey team as it was scheduled to take on No. 7 University of Wisconsin-River Falls in a non-conference matchup before returning to Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) play. Unfortunately, the high-powered Falcon offense was too much for the Wildcats to handle in a 5-0 loss Wednesday evening in River Falls, Wisconsin.
The Wildcats started out competing with the No. 7 Falcons in the first as they managed six shots on goal while first-year goalie
Kristen Pechacek (Park Falls, Wis./Chequamegon) kicked out all eight Falcon shots on goal to send both teams scoreless into the second period.
Heading into the second period, the Wildcats had a great opportunity to take the lead on a power play. However, the Falcons had other plans as just 16 seconds in Chloe Kinsel beat Pechacek on a shorthanded chance putting the Wildcats down 1-0. With just over five minutes to play in the second, the Falcons would increase their lead to 2-0 on a goal from Dani Sibley.
The third period didn't bring better luck for the Wildcats as Karleigh Wolkstorfer netted the third Falcon goal of the game just 3:20 in to put a Wildcat comeback out of reach. Kinsel added her second of the game on a power play to make it 4-0 with just over six to play, before Sibley added her second of the game and fifth for the Falcons.
Pechacek finished with 33 saves in goal for the Wildcats, while Angie Hall stopped all 14 Wildcat attempts.
Bailey Rasmussen (Grand Rapids, Minn./Grand Rapids) led the Wildcats with three shots on goal. Three other Wildcats had two shots each.
The Wildcats return to MIAC action Friday against last-place St. Olaf College. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Northfield, Minnesota.
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