SUPERIOR, Wis.: Haley Nielson scored the game-winning goal on the power play at 19:59 of the second period as fifth-ranked UW-River Falls topped the UW-Superior women's hockey team, 4-2, at Wessman Arena Friday.
 
Nielson beat UWS goaltender McKenzie Whalen (East Grand Forks, Minn./East Grand Forks) through a screen just as the buzzer sounded to end the second frame, giving the Falcons a 3-1 lead.
 
Megan Dulong (Grand Rapids, Minn./Grand Rapids) cut the deficit in half, putting a bouncing puck home unassisted, at 1:56 of the third. The goal made it 3-2 and gave the Yellowjackets life. But, four-and-a-half minutes later, Abigail Stow skated over the blue line and sneaked the puck over Whalen's shoulder on the glove side for the final margin at 6:30. Nielson assisted on the play for her third point of the game. 
 
River Falls outshot Superior, 35-19, and was 1-for-3 on the power play. Whalen made 31 saves in just her four collegiate start in net for the 'Jackets. 
 
The Falcons (18-2-0, 6-0-0 WIAC) scored just 14 seconds into the first period as Hailey Herdine's shot found its way through Whalen's pads. Neilson and Ashley Efferetz assisted on the goal.
 
The 'Jackets (7-14-1, 0-6-1) knotted the game, 1-1, as Tessa Jorde (Thief River Falls, Minn./Lincoln) drove to the net and took a shot, which River Falls goalie Sami Miller (17 saves) stopped. Jorde corralled the rebound put it past Miller on the second attempt at 2:47 of the opening period.

Jessie Anderson made it 2-1 at 16:59 of the second period on a rebound. Izzy Brousseau took the initial shot from the point, getting the promary assist. Jamie Bird got the other helper on the play.
 
Prior to game, the 'Jackets honored their two seniors – Mandy Tomlinson (Waupaca, Wis./Waupaca) and Sam Westgaard (Elk River, Minn./Elk River). The pair has been part of 43 victories in their four years at UWS.
 
Superior and River Falls close the season series Saturday at Hunt Arena. Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m.