ASHLAND, Wis. – The Northland College Women's Hockey team falls in the series opener to No. 1 University of Wisconsin-River Falls 8-1 in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play Friday night at the Bay Area Civic Center in Ashland, Wis.
 
The highest-scoring offense in Division III started the game with two goals in the first 10 minutes. The LumberJills had a few chances in the first period. Audrey Ellerington had a breakaway but sent her shot wide and Kyleigh Moffatt had a shot that hit the post. The Falcons added another goal before the first horn.
 
Sophomore Kate Holtz ripped a shot from the center circle and beat the UWRF goal glove side to get Northland on the board two minutes into the second period. The Falcons answered right back with their fourth of the game. The LumberJills were down a skater three times in the second period and did not allow a goal and only gave up seven shots.
 
In the final period, the Falcons found the back of the net four more times to win the contest 8-1.
 
Northland recorded nine shots against the top team in the nation. Moffatt and Holtz led the team with two shots. Holtz scored her seventh goal of the season to now lead the Jills. Defensively, NC blocked 21 shots with Jamie Steinmetz blocking a career-high six. In net, Karlee Lehner made 50 saves.
 
Northland and UW-River Falls end the series tomorrow (Saturday) with a 2 p.m., puck drop.
 
Northland College is an NCAA Division III institution located in Ashland, WI. The LumberJacks and LumberJills sponsor 14 varsity sports and compete in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference, Midwest Lacrosse Conference, and the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.