The University of Wisconsin Superior could not get off to the start it wanted opening the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament as the third-ranked and top-seeded University of Wisconsin-River Falls opened their semifinal series with a 5-1 victory over the Yellowjackets on Friday night in River Falls, Wisconsin.

No. 3 UW-River Falls (24-2-0) opened up a 2-0 lead after the first period, with the Falcons first getting on the board with Hailey Herdine scoring on the powerplay at 7:07 of the opening frame, assisted by Dani Sibley and Lydie Wagner. Sibley added to the total with just 1:39 remaining before intermission on an even-strength score assisted by Izzy Brosseau. UW-Superior (12-14-0) got on the board early in the second period as they got their second chance on the powerplay, with junior Mikayla Goodin (Andover, Minn./Andover H.S.) scoring her 13th of the season with an assist from freshman Sarah Fjeran (Duluth, Minn./Marshall School).

The Falcons continued to build on their lead in third, notching three quick tallies in a span of 4:18. Paige Johnson pushes the lead back out to two goals with an assist from Sibley at 12:35 of the final fram.e Carly Moran netted her 20th of the season just 1:19 later, assisted by Johnson, and Brosseau got on the baord at 16:53, closing out the scoring for the day. Angie Hall made 15 saves for the Falcons, while senior Kim Kobar (The Pas, Man./Margaret Barbour Collegiate) stopped 27 pucks for the Yellowjackets. UWS finished 1-for-4 on the powerplay while River Falls would finished 1-for-5 with the skater advantage.

UP NEXT
The series continues Saturday afternoon as UW-Superior meets UW-River Falls in game two of the WIAC semifinals. The puck will drop at 2:05 p.m.