ST. PAUL, Minn. — Saint Mary's (1-3-0, 0-1-0) battled No. 12–ranked Hamline (4-0-0, 1-00) on Friday night but came up short in a 4–1 conference setback. It was a standout performance from goaltender Magali Fillion, who turned away 37 shots, but the Cardinals couldn't keep pace with a relentless Pipers offense that fired 41 shots on goal.

The opening period saw a strong start for Saint Mary's as Keeley Callander won the opening draw and the Cardinals generated early chances from Reese Heitzman and Sophia Paduano. A Hamline penalty gave Saint Mary's the game's first power play, but despite sustained pressure, the Cardinals couldn't break through. 

Fillion stood tall throughout the frame helping send the game into the first intermission locked at 0–0.

Hamline struck twice early in the second to build a 2–0 lead, but the Cardinals answered right back. At 9:13, Kenzie Meland buried a feed from Celia Midtbo and Paduano to cut the deficit to one. 

Saint Mary's continued to push, generating looks from Maggie Albers and Heitzman, but the Pipers carried their 2–1 advantage into the third.

The Cardinals kept battling, with key defensive efforts from Albers and Heitzman, but Hamline added two more goals in the final frame to put the game out of reach. 

Meland finished with a goal and two shots, while Paduano added an assist and three shots on the night. 

The Cardinals get a chance at redemption at home tomorrow for a 3:00 p.m. rematch against the Pipers.