DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque women's hockey team battled Concordia University on Friday afternoon. The Spartans battled tough late in the game, but ultimately fell 4-2 to the Falcons.

The first period was scoreless, but the deadlock was broken in the second period with the Falcons scoring twice to enter the third with a 2-0 advantage.

Early in the third period, Zoe Cupples had an attempt saved with 33 seconds played.Going down 3-0 shortly after Cupples' saved shot, Natalie Meeder had two attempts saved near the halfway point of the third period. With 3:14 remaining in the game, the Falcons picked up a second penalty after getting one less than a minute earlier.

The Spartans pushed their advantage, pulling the goalkeeper to create a six-on-three advantage on the ice. It did not take long, as Lauren Jeffery scored a minute later with a well-timed shot past the keeper, assisted by Alexandria Simmons and Zoe Cupples. Keeping the goalkeeper on the bench, the Spartans held a 6-4 advantage on the ice. This time, it was Ashleigh Eldridge who managed to slip the puck past the goalkeeper to make it 3-2. With less than two minutes on the clock pushed but were unable to find the game-tying goal, giving up an open-net goal late in pursuit of the equalizer.

The Spartans were led by goal scorers Lauren Jeffery and Ashleigh Eldridge. Assists came from Zoe Cupples and Alexandria Simmons. Natalie Meeder had four shots, and Simmons had five. Emily Skanron had a big game in goal with 51 saves for the day.

Up Next
The Spartans will take on Concordia University in the second game of a two-game series at home Saturday, December 6. The puck drop is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at ImOn Arena.