Lake Forest sophomore forward Olivia Spellmire scored a power play goal with 7:10 remaining but the Foresters could not complete the comeback and fell 3-1 to visiting St. Norbert College in game one of their Northern Collegiate Hockey Association Slaats Cup semifinal series.
Spellmire netted her 14th goal of the season with assists credited to senior forward Michelle Greeneway and sophomore defenseman Kayla Griffith. Trailing 3-1 after the score, the Foresters' pulled their goaltender with 1:18 to play but were not able to get any closer.
St. Norbert took the early lead just 18 seconds into the contest and doubled the margin at the 6:26 mark of the opening period.
After being out-shot 11-5 in the game's first 20 minutes, Lake Forest put a dozen shots on goal to the Green Knights' four in the second period but surrendered the only goal of the stanza at the 6:49 mark. Both teams had five shots on target in the third period.
The loss dropped the Foresters' overall record on the season to 20-4-2 while St. Norbert improved to 15-8-3. The same two teams will face off again in Lake Forest's Alumni Memorial Field House Saturday afternoon at 3:00. A Forester victory would force the teams to suit up again for a 20-minute minigame shortly after the completion of game two of the series.
The semifinal winner will advance to next Saturday's NCHA Slaats Cup Championship Game, to be played at the highest remaining seed.
