WINONA, Minn. - Marian University women's hockey (0-1-0, 0-0-0 NCHA) rallied late but fell to Saint Mary's by a 5-3 final in their season opener.

The first three goals of the game would come on the power play with sophomore Morgan Bolin opening the scoring at the 9:43 mark of the first period with assists to junior Nicole Niemi and sophomore Ally Fox.  The Cardinals responded in the final minute with a power play goal of their own in the final minute of the first period and 3:07 into the second period to take a 2-1 lead into the third period.

Bolin once again found the back of the net to open the period scoring for her first career multi-goal game.  Special teams then continue to play a factor as Saint Mary's netted their third man-advantage goal with just under 15 minutes to retake the lead at 3-2. 

The Sabre power play unit was then able to knot the game back up at 3-3 just 2:02 later when junior Jill Schneider lit the lamp with an assist to freshman Megan Cook, her first career point.  Just 2:07 later, however, Saint Mary's would take the lead for good at 4-3 and added an empty net goal with just 26-seconds remaining to set the final at 5-3.

Each power play unit had a big game with the Sabres going 2-5 with a man-advantage and the Cardinals converting on the power play three out of five times.  The Cardinals held a big advantage in shots for the game at 38-10 holding Marian to just one shot in the second period.

Junior Lindsey Strainis (0-1-0) took the loss in goal for the Sabres stopping 33 shots.

Marian closes out the weekend tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 28, when they travel to Augsburg for a 4 p.m. puck drop.

--FightBlueFight--