The Northland College Women's hockey team battled the Spartans of Aurora University at home Saturday afternoon. After an early three goal lead for the visiting Spartans Sydney Kanstrup scored two power play goals in the second period to close the deficit to just one, but the Jills weren't able to get over the hump coming up just short dropping the non-conference contest by a final score of 4-2. 

Aurora came out firing in the first period, putting 18 shots on goal and finding the back of the net twice to jump out to the early lead. Peyton Elliott opened the scoring for the Spartans in the game's third minute. The Jills settled in defensively for the remainder of the period as Goalie Soleil Archambeault held the constant offensive pressure of the Spartans to just one more goal. In all, the junior Goalie from London, Ontario racked up 16 saves in the first. She tallied 48 saves overall. Aurora's Marisa Trevino chipped in the second goal of the period to take a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.

The second period was shaping up to be more of the same from the relentless offense of the Spartans. A third goal, this time by Olivia Buzzelli, was scored just over three minutes into the second. Five minutes later it was Northland's turn to put some offensive pressure on Aurora. The Jills were able to take advantage of two second period penalties and get back into the game. Kanstrup (So./Eagle Lake, Minn.) scored her first collegiate goal 8:52 into the second period on a deflection rebound off the stick of Maddy Bloedel (So./Cottage Grove, Minn.) on a 5 on 3 power play. McKenna Freerksen (Fr./Dodge City, Minn.), also, picked up her team-leading fourth assist on the goal. Kanstrup wasn't done yet. Her and Bloedel teamed up again six minutes later for her second PP goal of the day (and her career). For Bloedel, it was her third assist of the season after finishing last season with one. Mahteya Dumelie (Jr./Glentworth, Sask.) picked up her first assist of the season on the goal as well.

Unfortunately, the comeback bid ended there. After a hard fought third, in which the Spartans were able to push another goal across, the Jills effort fell just short. "I thought the girls responded well after a tough loss Friday," commented second year head coach Jason Carter. "The girls could have easily packed it in after the first period and a two goal deficit, but they battled with a very talented opponent and had an opportunity going into the third. I am proud of the development of the team throughout the season and the competitive mindset is getting strong as the year goes on. We just have to eliminate the mistakes in key situations. Four penalties cannot happen in the third period when you are trying to comeback. We will learn from it and get back to work on Monday."

The LumberJills (1-13-1, 0-4 WIAC) will be back in action next Friday and Saturday at Marian University for a non-conference weekend series. WIAC play resumes at home against UW-Riverfalls on January 28th and 29th. For more information visit www.northlandcollegesports.com