ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict hockey team dropped its final nonconference game Tuesday night, losing to No. 7 Wisconsin-River Falls by a final score of 9-2. With the win, the Falcons improve to 7-2, while the Blazers drop to 3-5.
 
The nationally ranked Falcons proved their ranking by blitzing the Blazers early. They won the opening faceoff and promptly took the puck to the net, taking the lead just 14 seconds into the game off a goal from junior forward Chloe Kinsel.  The Falcons scored twice more in the first period, including another goal from Kinsel, to take a three-goal lead into the first intermission.
 
The Blazers appeared to muster a comeback with a goal from sophomore forward Elli Marvin in the second period. The Falcons' offensive machine, however, added two more goals in the period, including Kinsel's third of the game, to take a 5-1 lead into the second intermission.
 
The Falcons finished the game the way they started it, with three straight goals en route to scoring their ninth goal of the game. The lone bright spot of the third period for the Blazers was a goal from first-year forward Kimberly Patterson, assisted by first-year forward Brigette Miller and senior forward Megan Brettingen.
 
The Blazers were outshot 49–16 and lost the faceoff battle 29-11.
 
The Falcons were led on offense by Kinsel (3 goals and 2 assists), and senior forward Alice Cranston (2 goals and one assist).
 
Blazer goalies Jenna Traut and Dory Johnson recorded a combined 40 saves, which is the most saves Blazer goalies have made in any game so far this year.
 
The Blazers return to action this Friday, Dec. 5 when they travel to Minneapolis to take on Augsburg, which is currently second in the MIAC. CSB returns home this Saturday when it hosts the Auggies in the second episode of the weekend doubleheader.  Face-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.