LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Marian University women’s hockey (7-17-2, 4-9-0-3 NCHA) let an early lead slip away falling to Lake Forest 4-1 in the first game of their NCHA Slaats Cup Quarterfinal match-up.
Freshman Jordan Usiondek lit the lamp to open the scoring 5:20 into the first period with an assist to sophomore Mackenzie Rosin. This score stood up heading into the first intermission despite the Sabres being outshot 23-10 for the period. The Foresters tied the game with just 1:23 left in the second stanza with a power-play score to send the game knotted at 1-1 heading into the final period.
The Foresters were able to take their first lead of the game just 2:26 into the final period and added to their lead at the 14:22 mark. An empty-net goal in the final 15 seconds then set the final for the game at 4-1.
Rosin finished the game with a team-high four shots, while freshman Sydney Schipper won 10 of her 18 faceoff opportunities. In goal, sophomore Kayla Kolpitcke (7-17-2) posted a strong stat line recording 45 saves in the defeat.
Marian closes out the series with the Foresters tomorrow, Saturday, February 26, for a 2 p.m. puck drop looking for a victory to force a mini-game.