Box Score

ALAMOSA, Colo. – Northern State University junior goalkeeper Dee Wood and the Wolves defense held off a furious onslaught from Fort Lewis College for 40 shots and 109 minutes before the Skyhawks slipped their 41st shot and 15th on goal through the NSU defense and into the net from 25 yards out for the dramatic 1-0 double-overtime victory in the 2009 season opener for both teams.

The Wolves, playing the first of three games in their swing through the high altitude regions of Colorado, ran into an offensive attack that started in the second minute and never let up, dropping their season-opener for the second time in three seasons.  NSU valiantly held off the Skyhawks throughout regulation play, allowing FLC to put just 13 of their 33 shots taken on goal and watching Wood put a stop to all 13 attempts.  Wood finished the game with a career-high 14 saves, more than doubling her previous best of six, set last season.

The Wolves, meanwhile, managed just seven shots through the two regulation stanzas, only one of which was on goal.  Skyhawk goal tender Christine Schmelzle collected her first and only save of the day with that shot, sending the game into the overtime period.

Neither squad was able to generate much offense in the first overtime, as the Wolves held FLC to just four shots while picking up one of their own.  Both teams, however, continued to keep the ball out of the net, forcing the second sudden-death frame.

The Wolves came within 60 seconds of escaping that period and the match with little damage done, but the Skyhawks punched home the game-winner with just one minute left on the clock to hand the Wolves the heartbreaker of an opener.  FLC's Hayley Hollenga fed senior Nichole Kluk, selected to the Preseason All-RMAC squad at the defender position, for the goal.

Junior speedster Maggie Fedor led the way offensively for the Wolves, putting up four shots.  Sophomore and returning All-NSIC performer Kaylee McDonald added two, while sophomore reserve forward Laura Opsahl registered the team's lone shot on goal with a second-half attempt.  Junior Kirsten Saunders also had a shot for the Wolves, who did manage five corner kicks on the day.

Hollenga notched 10 shots to lead the way for the Skyhawks.

The Wolves, now 0-1 on the season, are off tomorrow, but take the field again on Saturday for a 3 p.m. (CST) match against the host Adams State College Grizzlies, who faced off against Augustana in the second game on Thursday.