The Forester women's hockey team was defeated 5-1 at the University of Wisconsin-Superior Friday night in game one of the team's two-game Northern Collegiate Hockey Association O'Brien Cup quarterfinal series. Junior Kim Herring scored Lake Forest's only goal of the contest.
The teams played more than a period-and-a-half of scoreless hockey before the home team netted the game's first goal at the 13:34 mark of the second stanza. The Yellowjackets doubled their lead on a power play goal at 15:55 and had a 2-0 advantage going into the third period.
The home team scored again exactly three minutes into the third period, seemingly putting the game away. Herring, however, converted a power play opportunity at 8:16 to get the visitors back in the game.
Senior Melissa Kravich became the first Forester to record 50 career assists when she set up Herring's seventh goal of the year. It was also the 50th career goal for Herring, tying her with Robyn Slater for the second-highest total in team history.
The Yellowjackets, however, pulled away with scores at 11:33 and 17:55 to take a 1-0 advantage in the series.
Shots on goal through two periods were 18-17 in favor of Superior. The home team out-shot the Foresters 18-7 in the final 20 minutes.
The teams will face off again tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. Lake Forest needs a victory to send the series to a decisive 20-minute mini-game, which would follow the afternoon contest. The series winner will advance to next weekend's four-team O'Brien Cup Tournament, which will likely be played at regular season champion UW-River Falls.
