Spartans Secure Game One of Quarterfinals

GENEVA, Ill. – The Spartans secured the first round of the NCHA Quarterfinal matchup on Friday night with a 7-4 victory. The loss sends CUW to 13-12-1 on the season.

The Spartans struck first in the first period on the power play.

Senior Baileigh Johnson (Neillsville, Wis.) tapped in a shot that trickled into the net off assists from freshman Lilly Casher (Grayslake, Ill.) and sophomore Natalia Etter (Boveresse, Switzerland).

A backhanded shot fooled the Aurora keeper to put the Falcons ahead with over two minutes to play in the first period off the stick of freshman Natalie Mackrell (Stuttgart, Germany) off assists from senior Sarah Pearson (South Range, Wis.) and senior Emily Reimche (Billings, Mont.).

The Spartans tied the game in the second period on a breakaway two-on-one.

Freshman Olivia Kurtz (Plainfield, Ill.) started the third period with a breakaway goal.

The Spartans responded with three-straight goals to retake the lead.

Sarah Pearson found the back of the net off a pass from Natalie Mackrell.

The Black and Blue responded with two more goals.

Junior Annalina Van Hercke (Castle Rock, Colo.) collected 29 saves.

The Falcons outshot the Spartans on Friday by a 42-36 margin. CUW was led by Natalie Mackrell, Emily Reimche freshman Brooke Gibson (LaSalle, Ont.) and junior Isabela Noyle (Baltimore, Md.) with five shots. Brooke Gibson also won 10 faceoffs.

The Falcons need to win on Saturday to force a mini-game and keep the season alive.