The Lindenwood women's hockey team (0-3-0, 0-0-0 CHA) dropped the opening game of the series with St. Cloud State (1-0-0,0-0-0 WCHA) by a score of 4-2 on Friday night from St. Cloud, Minn.

GAME OVERVIEW
The Lions opened the game by putting the puck towards the net as Lindenwood compiled five shots, including two on goal across the first five minutes of play. It would be the Huskies who got on the board first, however as the Huskies found the back of the net at the 5:24 mark of the first period, taking an early 1-0 lead. St. Cloud would extend its lead to 2-0 just a couple minutes later.  The Huskies would light the lamp again at the 17:41 mark of the opening period, helping them take a 3-0 lead into the first intermission. In the first 20 minutes of play, Lindenwood registered nine shots, all of which were on goal but were unable to find the back of the net.

The Lions made some adjustments at the break, which paid off early. Lindenwood got on the board 1:49 into the second frame as Morgan Neitzke netted her first goal as a Lion, cutting the deficit to 3-1.  Casey Adimey and Rachel Goff picked up assists on the goal. Lindenwood kept battling after the goal, as the Lions earned a power-play at the 14:38 mark of the period. On the man-advantage Valerie Caldwell scored her first goal as a Lion, making the score 3-2. Sena Takenaka and Sierra Burt recorded helpers on the Caldwell goal. In the second frame, Lindenwood recorded 12 shots on goal, as it trailed by one at the second intermission.

Lindenwood pushed for the equalizer early in the final frame, as the Lions compiled nine shots on goal in the first six minutes of play.  The Huskies extended their lead to 4-2, however as they found the back of the net at the 5:51 mark of the final period. Lindenwood continued to try to cut into the lead, earning a power-play late in the period, but were unable to find the back of the net as the Huskies picked up a 4-2 victory.

GAME LEADERS
Caldwell (1 G, eight shots)
Neitzke (1 G)
Teagan Heaslip (4 blocked shots)
Natalie Ferenc (29 saves)

UP NEXT
Lindenwood concludes its series with St. Cloud State tomorrow. Puck drop is scheduled for 2:07 p.m. from St. Cloud, Minn.