GENEVA, Ill. - One power play goal was all that separated Marian University women's hockey (5-16-0, 4-10-0 NCHA) and Aurora as the Spartans earned a split in the series with a 1-0 NCHA win.

The one score for the game came at the 6:48 mark of the second period after the Sabres were whistled for a tripping minor.  Marian outshot the Spartans in all three periods, including a 13-4 margin in the third period, and finished with a 35-20 advantage in shots.  Sophomore Morgan Bolin led the Sabres with a game-high seven shots.

Marian also had another strong game in the faceoff circle where senior Paige Johnson went 10-3, while junior Hailey Miller went 14-8.  Sophomore Lindsey Strainis took the tough-luck loss making 19 saves.

Marian nearly got on the board late in the opening period when a shot from sophomore Ally Fox got past the Spartan goaltender but rang off of the pipe.

The Sabre power play couldn't find a rhythm going scoreless on six opportunities, while the Marian penalty kill held the Spartans to one goal also on six chances.

Marian returns home to take on Northland in a pivotal NCHA series Feb. 10-11 with puck drop scheduled for 5 p.m. in the opener.

--FightBlueFight--