ADRIAN, Mich. (SabreAthletics.com) - Marian and Adrian wrapped up their weekend series on Saturday, Nov. 9 after the Bulldogs took game one by a 4-1 score. On Saturday, the storyline would vary, but the final chapter would remain the same as Adrian was a 4-3 winner.

In last night's game, Adrian came out with the physical, gritty attack that they are known well for, and the Sabres had difficulty adjusting. On Saturday, however, the necessary adjustments appeared to have been made, as Marian was able to get on the board early.

At 6:14 of the first period, former Adrian Bulldog Nina Laurie scored on her former team shorthanded to tie the game at one. Junior Amanda Waigand, who scored the lone goal on Friday, added the helper for her sixth point of the season.

Marian would use the momentum of the shorthanded tally by taking the lead just minutes later with the man-advantage. Waigand finished off the setup from freshmen Sarah Bier and Rian Lennon to put the Sabres ahead by one. 

With their first lead of the series, Marian would hold that lead until 9:42 of the second period, when Adrian went on an offensive tear, scoring three goals in a span of four and a half minutes. When the dust settled, Marian was trailing by two heading into the third.

"We came out hard in the first to earn the 2-1 lead, but we let off in the second and Adrian came on hard," Head Coach Jamie Kivi said.

Knowing that the battle would be fought uphill against a strong opponent, the Sabres put themselves to the grind in search of that next goal. Junior Kelly Leslie scored her first goal of the season to bring Marian to within one, but that would be all the Sabre offense could muster, falling 4-3.

Junior Amanda Alexander turned in another busy night at the office, turning away 45 of the 49 shots she saw.

"Going forward, we need to keep building on the positives and fixing the negatives," Kivi said. "Overall, it was a great learning weekend for us."

The Sabres will have their home opener next Friday at the Blue Line when they host Finlandia. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.