NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point women's hockey team started the season strong with a 5-2 win over St. Olaf on Friday evening at the Northfield Ice Arena.

St. Olaf jumped on the board quickly, scoring less than two minutes into the game, going in front, 1-0.

Cassandra Salmen (Stillwater, MN/Stillwater) scored the first goal of the season for the Pointers just over two minutes later, knotting the score at 1-1.

Five minutes into the second period, Shauna Bollinger (Menomonie, WI/Menomonie) tallied her first collegiate goal on assists from Megan Nickelson (North St. Paul, MN/North) and Michelle Lunneborg (Richfield, MN/Richfield), giving the Pointers the lead.

Not even a minute later, the Oles slid their second and final goal of the game past Janna Beilke-Skoug (Madison WI/East), again tying the score, 2-2..

Senior tri-captain Brooke Hanson (Maple Grove, MN/Maple Grove) capped off the second period scoring as she found the back of the net, putting the Pointers back on top, 3-2.

Both Salmen and Bollinger scored their second goals of the season in the third period to solidify an opening night win for the Pointers.

Sophomore Beilke-Skoug tallied 29 saves while St. Olaf's Sam Ubl recorded 31.The Pointers out-shot the Oles 36-31 in the win.

The two squads will take the ice again Saturday for a 2 p.m. match-up.

COURTESY UW-STEVENS POINT