RIVER FALLS, Wis. — To close out the nonconference slate, the Saint Mary's women's hockey team (8-11-2) faced the No. 1 team in the nation Tuesday night, falling 8–1 to top-ranked UW–River Falls (21-1-0). The Falcons struck for three goals in the opening period and added a hat trick in the third to pull away.

The Falcons opened the scoring early in the first, but Saint Mary's responded quickly as Kali Knutson scored her first collegiate goal as a Cardinal to briefly tie the game 1-1 just two minutes in. 

The Falcons answered with a short-handed goal and closed the period up 3–1.

River Falls extended its lead with two more goals in the second period despite strong efforts from Celeste Rimstad in net and key defensive plays from Keeley Callander. The Falcons continued to capitalize in the third, adding three more goals while holding off several Cardinal power-play chances, including quality looks from Reese Heitzman and Maggie Albers.

Saint Mary's continued to compete throughout, but the Falcons' depth proved decisive in the 8–1 final.

The Cardinals now focus on conference action coming up this weekend as they travel to Northfield on Friday to take on St. Olaf for a 6:00 p.m. puck drop.