Box Score

FOND DU LAC, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) – The Marian University women's hockey team closed out its third season in program history with a hard-fought comeback that fell just short in the waning seconds as St. Norbert College came away with a 4-3 win in the regular season finale, this afternoon, Feb. 18.

Trailing 4-2 late in the third period, the Sabres earned two 5-on-3 power play opportunities in the final 3:10 and converted on the first to cut the deficit to 4-3. But with only 55 seconds remaining in the contest, a couple of point blank tries were turned aside and so were the Sabres as time ran out.

The Green Knights improved to 13-12 overall, 11-9 in the NCHA with their fifth straight win and nine win in the last 12 tries. The Sabres end the season with a 1-21-3 overall mark and 1-17-2 record in the NCHA.

St. Norbert grabbed a quick lead as Danielle Rozonn scored just 32 seconds into the game. The Green Knights then took a 2-0 lead on Andrea Senne's ninth goal of the year less than six minutes later.

Just before the end of the period, Marian's Alex DeBoer broke through, taking a pass from Rachel Mullendore at the 15:33 mark and converting the power play attempt. The Sabres would finish an impressive 2-for-3 on power play tries in the game.

Leading 2-1, Zoe Kurth added an insurance tally with power play goal for SNC at the 5:18 mark of the second period. Marian's Sophie Shieldt scored her first goal of the year on a power play try at the 10:08 mark of the third to cut the deficit to 3-2. Megan Sesing-Gomoll and Brittany Syms were credited with assists on the goal.

At the 14:43 mark, Madeleine Siggelin tacked on a much-needed insurance goal and eventual game-winner to make it 4-2. Then, in the final 3:10, the Sabres put the pressure on with a two-player advantage as Devan Lesch scored her fourth goal of the season with 55 seconds remaining on the clock.

A couple of close calls were turned aside by Katie Aluia as her 17 saves helped preserve the win. Amanda Alexander took the loss, making 29 saves in two periods of play for the Sabres. Kaytlin Ruzicka made her final appearance in a Marian uniform, making eight saves in the third period.