NORTHFIELD, Minn. – A pair of late second-period goals proved the difference as the St. Olaf College women's hockey team dropped its season opener, 4-1, to visiting UW-Stevens Point on Friday evening at Northfield Ice Arena.

UW-Stevens Point (1-0-0) got goals from four different skaters in the victory, including goals from Cara Lemirande and Sophie Regovic in the space of 1:05 late in the second period. Lemirande and Regovic's quick-fire goals came after Mary Kate Eiden tied the game at 1-1 for St. Olaf (0-1-0) early in the period.

Dani Heitsman gave the Pointers a 1-0 lead at the first intermission after scoring at 18:57 of the first period. Defenseman Lauren Smith flung the puck around the boards behind the St. Olaf goal to Cassie Newcomer, who found Deitsman for a one-timer in front of the goal to open the scoring.

The Oles tied the game early in the second on sophomore Mary Kate Eiden's goal at 2:03. Junior Michaela Crowley dumped the puck deep in the offensive zone and the puck bounced in front of the goal where Eiden was on hand to jam the puck home to tie the game.

Lemirande scored the eventual game-winner at 16:54 of the third, tipping in an Anna Cheny shot from the right point in front of the net to give the Pointers a 2-1 lead. Just 1:05 later, Regovic scored unassisted on a breakaway to push UW-Stevens Point's advantage to 3-1 after two.

Lemirande provided the assist on Grubbs' empty-net goal with 34 seconds remaining to close the scoring. Sydney Conley made 23 saves to pick up the win for the Pointers, while Sam Klemann had 28 stops in the loss for the Oles.

The same two teams complete their season-opening series on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 2 p.m. at Northfield Ice Arena.