Ashland, WI -

The LumberJills hosted non-conference opponent the College of Saint Benedict Blazers at the Bay Area Civic Center tonight.

The Jills put pressure on the Blazers early tallying multiple shots on net. However, the Blazers goaltender would be able to fend off the attacks and keep the Jills off the board. The LumberJills controlled the period and held the Blazers scoreless and would enter the second period with a 0-0 tie. The Jills would come out of the gate ready to go in the second as they would pepper the Blazer net with shots early. Robyn Matula would break the scoreless tie by ripping a shot past the Blazer goaltender to put the Jills up 1-0, she would be assisted by Ashley Hammes and Vivienne Kallio. Northland continued their offensive attack on the Blazers, but would be unable to widen their lead in the second. The Jills wouldn't waste any time in the third period as Kylie Fahmer would add to the Jills' lead with a goal of her own from an Allyson Reilly assist. A penalty would set up a power play for the Blazers and give them an opportunity to put the Jills in reach. However, a nice shorthanded save by Maggie Cusey would keep the Blazers off the board. Head Women's Hockey Coach Kelly Rider had this to say about Cusey's save, "Maggie didn't always have her best stuff, but when we needed her most she made the big saves." The Blazers would eventually fight their way back into the game with a goal a little over eleven minutes into the period. With under a minute remaining in the game Allyson Reilly would tally an insurance goal to give the LumberJills a 2 point lead. That would be all that the LumberJills needed, as they would go on to win 3-1.

Cusey finished the night with 34 saves.

Coach Rider commented on her team's performance: "We can still play better and more consistently, but its nice to be back in the win column. We hope we can be even more ready tomorrow and build off the positives of today."

The Jills will be back on the ice tomorrow to finish their second game of the weekend against the College of Saint Benedict. Puck drop is scheduled for 4pm.

Northland College is an NCAA Division III institution located in Ashland, WI. The LumberJacks and LumberJills sponsor 15 varsity sports and compete in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference and the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association.