RIVER FALLS, Wis – The UW-Stevens Point women's hockey team lost the first game of a weekend series at UW-River Falls Friday afternoon, 3-2.

Box Score

After a scoreless first period, the Falcons got the scoring started less than two minutes into the second period off a goal from Kait Mason.

Shortly after, Michelle Lunneborg (Richfield, MN/Richfield) knotted the game at 1-1 as she scored off the stick of Brooke Hanson (Maple Grove, MN/Maple Grove).

The game didn't remain tied long into the final period as River Falls capitalized on a power play to take the 2-1 lead. Less than eight minutes later, the Falcons struck again, taking a two-goal lead.

In the midst of a power play, the Pointers pulled Janna Beilke-Skoug (Madison, WI/East) out of net and the two-man advantage paid off as Emily Lester (Eau Claire, WI/Memorial) found the back of the net to cut the Falcons' lead to just one.

The Falcons defense shut down the Pointers late surge as the final seconds ticked away to hold on for the win, handing UWSP its first conference loss of the season.

The Falcons outshot the Pointers 38-17 in the game as goalkeeper Beilke-Skoug recorded 35 saves, and her counterpart, Ashley Kuechle, recorded 15.

The Pointers (5-2-2, 4-1-2 NCHA) and Falcons (5-1-2, 4-1-2 NCHA) face off again Saturday afternoon in River Falls. The winner will stand alone atop the NCHA. Action set for 2:05 p.m.