HANCOCK, Mich. (SabreAthletics.com) - The Marian University women's hockey team was in search for their first win of the season and it got just that thanks to an all-around team effort and Amanda Waigand's fourth-career hat trick. The Sabres cruised to a 7-4 victory over host Finlandia tonight, Nov. 14.

"It wasn't our best game," Head Coach Jamie Kivi said. "But at the end of the day, we still accomplished what we came here to do."

Waigand led the Sabres (1-4, 1-4 NCHA) offensively, scoring a hat trick in her first multi-goal game of the season. Her night started early as just over two minutes into the game she put the Sabres on top 1-0 with an unassisted goal, capitalizing on a Lion turnover and beating the Finlandia goalie in a one-on-one situation.

Finlandia (0-5, 0-3 NCHA) evened the score just over halfway through the first when sophomore Lyndsey Jackman scored her first goal of the season, but the Sabres were quick to retaliate. A response of two goals in two minutes put the Sabres on top by two to end the period.

It was back-and-forth action in the second, starting with an early Finlandia goal to put the Lions back to within one. It didn't take long for the Sabres to regain their two-goal lead, however, as Waigand chipped in her third goal of the night less than 30 seconds later. The two teams traded goals late in the period to give the Sabres a 5-3 lead going into the third.

The Lions continued to find opportunities to keep themselves in the game as they applied pressure on Sabre goalie Ali Glazer, who made 20 saves, all night. Just under nine minutes into the third, the Lions were able to connect for their fourth goal of the night, but they were unable to stop the Sabre offense.

Two Sabre goals late in the period finished the night and the Sabres gained their first win of the season. The win brings the Sabres to 8-3-1 over the Lions all-time, while they look to add another win tomorrow at 3 p.m. in a rematch at the Houghton County Arena.