EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - The UW-Eau Claire women's hockey team ended a four-game winning streak with a 7-4 loss against sixth-ranked UW-River Falls at Hobbs Ice Center tonight.

While the Blugolds (5-3, 3-2 NCHA) gave up three goals in the first period, they closed the gap to just one goal by the end of the second period. But a big third period for River Falls (7-0, 4-0 NCHA) ended the Blugolds' chances of a comeback.

Down by three goals after one period, Nikki Kothenbeutel (Fr.-Sauk Rapids, Minn./Sauk Rapids-Rice) scored on a power-play with an assist from Christine Dickinson (Sr.-Layton, Utah/Shattuck-St. Mary's) at 10:35 in the second period to get the Blugolds on the board.

Just over a minute later, Casey McMullen (So.-Minneapolis, Minn./South) added another Blugold goal on an assist from Dani Kerr (So.-Little Canada, Minn./Roseville) while the Blugolds were short-handed.

But early in the third period, the Falcons found the back of the Blugold net three times to go back up 6-2. River Falls scored at 48 seconds, 1:33 and again at 1:47.

Less than 10 minutes after the Falcons' sixth goal, Emily Haluska added a goal for Eau Claire with an assist from Kothenbeutel but River Falls answered just over two minutes later to go up 7-3.

Kothenbeutel scored the final goal of the game at 15:11 with assists from Kerr and Dickinson on a power-play.

The seven goals given up by Eau Claire tonight were the most since Jan. 31, 2010 in a 7-4 loss at Lake Forest College (Ill.). It was only the 22nd time in program history the Blugolds gave up seven goals or more.

River Falls finished outshooting Eau Claire 29-18. Jordyn Quiring (Fr.-Calgary, Alberta/Edge School) was given the loss after playing for 41:47 while stopping 18 Falcon shots and giving up six goals. Mara Stormer (So.-Waunakee, Wis.) also played between the pipes for Eau Claire and gave up one goal while stopping four shots.

The Blugolds will try to get back on track tomorrow with a game at River Falls. The puck is set to drop at 3 p.m.