ST. PAUL, Minn. – Tied 2-2 heading into the third period, the Concordia University Wisconsin Women's Hockey team struggled in the final 20 minutes, falling 5-2 at Hamline in the 2016-17 season opener Friday. The Pipers struck three times in the final stanza, two coming from Bre Simon, to hand the Falcons a loss to open the season.

THE BASICS
- Final Score: Hamline 5, Concordia Wisconsin 2
- Location: Oscar Johnson Arena – St. Paul, Minnesota
- Records: Hamline 1-0; Concordia Wisconsin 0-1

HOW IT HAPPENED
- The third period told the story with the game-winning score coming 5:57 into the frame. Jena Kosley scored the winner for the host Pipers, the goal being assisted by Dani Wright. Simon would add two insurance goals 2:31 apart to put the game away midway through the third.

- The Falcons scored first Friday as sophomore Kristen Kennedy (London, Ontario) struck 4:27 into play on an unassisted goal. The Pipers would respond, however, as Darby Dodds scored two goals 28 seconds apart from one another, putting CUW in a 2-1 hole. Simon and Sadie Baker assisted on both Dodds scores.

- CUW had the only goal of the second period, an unassisted goal by senior Baylee Darling (Holmen, Wis.).

- Shots were 34-26 in favor of the Falcons on Friday but Hamline received a strong 32-save performance from Jaime Hathaway between the pipes. Sophomore Christina Pattengale (Portage, Mich.) made 21 saves for the Falcons.

- CUW struggled on the power play, going 0-for-6 with the advantage. The Falcons were strong on the penalty kill, keeping the Pipers off the board on three power play opportunities.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The Falcons fell to 4-5-1 in season-opening contests. The loss was the first season-opening setback for CUW since the 2012-13 season. Last season, CUW and Hamline skated to a 1-1 draw at the Ozaukee Ice Center to open the year.

UP NEXT
- The Falcons and Pipers will finish off the two-game set tomorrow afternoon. Puck drop is set for 2 p.m.