APPLETON, Wis. - The University of Dubuque women's hockey team had the will and found the way Friday night against Lawrence University. The Spartans faced a 2-0 deficit late in the second period, but stormed back with three unanswered goals to sink the Vikings, 3-2.

The first period played out to a stalemate with the Spartans getting eight shots on target. Following a tightly contested first period the second period is where the game opened up, unfortunately it was the Vikings that struck first taking advantage of two opportunities to go up 2-0. Undeterred, the Spartans fought hard, pulling a goal back late to make the score 2-1 after Natalie Meeder scored a solo goal that gave the goalkeeper no chance.

The third period is where the Spartans came to life, outshooting the Vikings 15-6. Only two minutes into the last period Natalie Meeder struck once again, this time dancing around the defense to then wrap around the keeper and calmly slot the puck in the goal. With the game now tied, the Spartans were fired up and at 10 minutes played in the third, Alexandria Simmons teed up Lauren Jeffery from distance. Jeffery struck the puck with force from the center of the ice to make it a 3-2 game. The Vikings attempted to score late, but great defensive blocks from Natalie Post and Bree Hallson aided Emily Skanron in goal who made four late saves to preserve the win.

The Spartans were led by Natalie Meeder, who scored twice and had 11 shots. Lauren Jeffery scored the game winning goal with the assist from Alexandria Simmons. On defense Bree Hallson and Grace Ronan each had two blocked shots. Emily Skanron made 27 saves, crucially shutting out the Vikings in the third period.

Up Next
The Spartans will face off with Lawrence University to close out the weekend series on Saturday February 7. The game is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at the Appleton Family Ice Center.