ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – After a slow start to Friday's season-opener, the College of Saint Benedict hockey team picked up steam – it just wasn't quite enough.
 
The Bennies scored a pair of third-period goals in a 4-2 loss to UW-Eau Claire Friday night at Hobbs Arena in Eau Claire, Wis. After recording a single shot on net in the first period, the Bennies (0-1) found some spark to their offense with six shots in the second period and nine more in the third.
 
The Blugolds (1-0) kept junior goalie Ally Frantzick on her toes throughout the game. Frantzick stopped eight of nine shots in the first period, with the lone goal coming with just over 30 seconds left in the period to make it 1-0. She stopped 11 more shots in the second, but Eau Claire scored on a power play with just under two minutes left in the period, and added an even-strength goal at 19:15 in the second to go up 3-0.
 
Saint Benedict got on the board six minutes into the third when Ava Stinnett netted her first collegiate goal off a pass from Brynn Sexauer on a Bennie power play. Eau Claire scored 16 seconds later to make it 4-1, but the Bennies got one more goal to make it a two-score game in the 11^th minute when first year Sami Boerboom scored off an assist from fellow first year Jenna Timm on another power play.
 
Eau Claire outshot the Bennies 33-16. Frantzick finished with 29 saves in her junior debut. Sexauer led the Bennies with five shots on net, including four in the third period alone. Jamie Benzie added three shots on net.
 
The two teams play again at 2 p.m. Saturday in Eau Claire. Live stats and video are available, and masks are required of all fans at Hobbs Arena.