Game Summary

RIVER FALLS, Wis. — It wasn't quite the opener Saint Mary's University women's hockey coach Duncan Ryhorchuk was hoping for.

UW-River Falls scored once in the second period and twice more in the third in handing the Cardinals a 3-0 season-opening setback Friday evening.

"They outplayed us, plain and simple," admitted Ryhorchuk. "Give River Falls a lot of credit — they took it to us.

Lindsy Carlson opened the scoring for the Falcons at the 16:04 mark of the second period on the power play. Elisha Best took over from there, scoring the first of her two goals at the 15:07 mark of the third period, then adding an empty-netter with seven seconds remaining.

Missie Meemken (St. Cloud, Minn.) stopped 22 shots in taking the loss.

The Cardinals return to action Saturday, playing host to UW-Eau Claire in a 7:05 p.m. nonconference game.