STEVENS POINT, Wis. - A four goal second period lifted the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point past the Marian women's hockey team (3-10-0, 0-7-0 NCHA) by a final of 5-3 in non-conference action.

Marian was outshot in the opening period of the game by a 10-9 margin, but it was Emily Everson's unassisted goal at the 2:09 mark that gave Marian the early 1-0 advantage.  The score was the second of the year for Everson.

The Pointers then answered in the second period with four goals in a four-minute span.  Emily Lester had two of the scores, one on the power play, as UWSP was able to take a 4-1 lead.

The Sabres cut the deficit to two with Courtney Wittig's team-high seventh goal of the year, assisted by Rian Lennon, with just under 15 minutes to play.  With just over five minutes to play MU would opt for the extra attacker and took advantage with a goal from Kelly Leslie for her first score of the year nearly two minutes later.  The goal was assisted by Paige Johnson and Abbey Dokken and also cut the deficit to one at a 4-3 score.

UWSP was able to close the game out, however, in the final minute with an empty net goal to set the final at 5-3.

The shot margin for the game was 40-28 in favor of the Pointers with UWSP outshooting Marian 19-8 in the second period.  Everson finished the contest with a game-high seven shots on goal.

Lindsey Strainis started in goal for MU stopping 23 shots before Ali Glazer would come in and hold the Pointers scoreless with 12 saves.

The Sabres and Pointers close out the series tomorrow, Sunday, Jan. 10 with a 2 p.m. puck drop from Blue Line.

--FightBlueFight--