FOND DU LAC, Wis. (SabreAthletics.Com) -- The Marian University women's hockey team welcomed conference rivals Concordia Wisconsin to the Blue Line Family Ice Center, tonight, Feb 13. A rally by the Sabres in the third period put them within a goal of the Falcons, but time ran out in the end as they fell 4-3.

The Sabres (6-15-1, 4-11-0 NCHA)  put up a strong defensive stand in the final period, allowing only shot from the Falcons (10-8-4, 6-6-3 NCHA). Offensively the Sabres got off two more shots in the third period than they did in the first two period combine, while being held to 18 shots total on the night.

Emily Heckendorf had the bulk of success for the Falcons' offense as she came away with her first hat trick of the season. Two of her goals came in the first ten minutes of the game as the Falcons were able to score three goals in a span of four minutes.

The Falcon offense quieted down in the second period, but Heckendorf was able to continue her impressive performance. With less than three minutes remaining in the period, Heckendorf completed a pass from Veronica Metanova to give the Falcons a four-goal lead.

Marian's offense was able to find life in the third period, starting with a power play goal by Amanda Waigand 25 seconds in off passes from Sarah Bier and Paige Johnson.  The Sabres were on the power play once again late in the period when Waigand was able to score her second goal of the night. The Sabres seemed to figure out the Falcon offense in the end, adding a third goal with three seconds remaining when Bier scored from Nina Laurie but it was too little too late.

Amanda Alexander finished the night with 23 saves for the Sabres, while Andrea Mizanskey made 15 for the Falcons.

The Sabres look to pick up where they left off when they face the Falcons again tomorrow, February 14, for a Senior day match-up starting a 1 p.m.