Lake Forest pulls away from Women's Hockey in NCHA play

MEQUON, Wis. – Sophomore Alexis Machuga (Rochester Hills, Mich.) scored with 9:05 remaining in the Women's Hockey matchup between Concordia University Wisconsin and Lake Forest College Friday night, cutting the Foresters lead to 2-1. Unfortunately for CUW, Lake Forest responded with two quick goals, taking a 4-1 victory in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association game at the Ozaukee Ice Center.

It took just 15 seconds after the Falcons brought the score within one for the Foresters to grab back a two-goal lead as Morgan Pope scored off a pass from Holly Lesperance. Lake Forest would add a fourth goal just 1:32 later from Marisa Weber, gaining their ninth win over their past 12 games.

Lake Forest also got a pair of second-period goals from Michelle Greeneway, a player who leads the NCHA in goals scored, giving them a 2-0 lead after two periods. Falcons goaltender Bridget Slater (Roseau, Minn.) made several big saves keeping the game close and finished with a career-high 38 saves. The freshman now has set her new career high in each of her last three starts.

The game's first period saw great back-and-forth action and outstanding goaltending between Slater and Stacey Dierking. The two combined for 17 first-period saves, making the score 0-0 after one.

The second period would be all Lake Forest as the Foresters outshot CUW 22-7 and grabbed the two goal lead. The Falcons portrayed a much better attack in the third period, firing 17 shots, but 16 were stopped by Dierking as she helped the Foresters secure the win.

Junior Emily Heckendorf (Merrill, Wis.) and sophomore Katherine Pauletti (Roseville, Minn.) each picked up assists for the Falcons. Greeneway was the only Forester to record multiple points with her 25th and 26th goals of the season. Machuga's goal was her third in two games, following a two-goal game last Saturday versus Marian. Each team also converted once on the power play, CUW going 1-for-4, while LFC was 1-for-3.

CUW will conclude the regular season tomorrow afternoon when it hosts Adrian College at the Ozaukee Ice Center. Puck is set to drop at 2 p.m. with live video available courtesy of CUWFalcons.com.