UW-River Falls To Play For Third Straight NCAA Women’s Ice Hockey Championship

**Recap courtesy of UW-River Falls Sports Information

RIVER FALLS, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-River Falls advanced to the championship game of the NCAA Division III Women’s Ice Hockey Championship for the third straight year with a 3-1 victory over Amherst College (Mass.) at Hunt Arena on March 27.

UW-River Falls (29-1), the two-time defending national champion, capitalized on early power play opportunities and controlled play through much of the opening 40 minutes against Amherst (21-3-6). UW-River Falls opened the scoring midway through the first period while on the power play, as Alexa Niccum netted her 10th goal of the season, finishing a great setup by Megan Goodreau to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission.

The Falcons extended their advantage early in the second period, again on the power play. Megan Goodreau finished off a passing sequence from Sophia Hess and MaKenna Aure at 2:24, netting what proved to be the game-winning goal to make it 2-0. The tally marked Goodreau's 18th power play goal of the season, setting a NCAA Division III single-season record and surpassing Cassidy Delainey (Elmira) who scored 17 in 2015.

Later in the period, UW-River Falls added an even-strength tally as Madison Kadrlik found the back of the net on a rebound attempt after Amherst goaltender Natalie Stott stopped Kadrlik's initial attempt on a clear breakaway.

Down 3-0, Amherst broke through late in the third period on a power play goal from Maeve Reynolds, but the Falcons' defense held firm the rest of the way to secure the 3-1 victory.

The Falcons outshot Amherst 33-31 in the contest. In goal, Jordan O’Kane earned the win with 30 saves, matching Amherst's Natalie Stott, who also stopped 30 shots in the loss.

Goodreau led the Falcons with a goal and an assist, while Hess added two assists in the victory.

On March 29, the Falcons will face Nazareth University (N.Y.) in the national championship game, in search of their third consecutive national title. Puck drop is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Hunt Arena. As of Saturday evening, tickets to the general public are SOLD OUT.

# # # # #