The Falcon women's hockey team has earned a spot in the 2013 NCAA National Tournament and will play at Gustavus Adolphus on Saturday at 2 p.m.

The Falcons earned an at-large berth into this year's tourney. "It's great to be back in the NCAA Tournament for the fifth straight year," said Falcon Coach Joe Cranston."The team worked very hard for this."

This is the sixth time the Falcons earned a berth in the tourney. The 2003 team also competed in the national event along with the past four squads.

The Falcons and Gusties played twice this year with GAC winning both games in December. GAC won at UWRF on Dec. 12, 2-1, and two days later won at home, 3-2. 

UWRF has three players that have scored at least 30 points this year. Kait Mason leads the team with 20 goals and 36 points. Mason has scored 102 career points and is the first Falcon to go over the 100 career point mark. She has 55 goals and 47 assists in her career. Chloe Kinsel has had a great rookie year and is second on the team with 18 goals and 33 points. Katie Batters has set a school record for goals in a season with 21 and she has 31 points. Five other Falcons have scored at least 21 points. In goal, Gillian McDonald has an 11-2-1 record with a 1.62 goals against average and a .912 saves percentage. Ashley Kuechle is 8-4-1 with a 1.77 goals against average and a .909 saves percentage. McDonald has registered three shutouts and Kuechle two. 

The Falcons average 4.8 goals a game and allow just 1.6. The Falcons have set a single season record with 138 goals and 34 power-play goals. UWRF is 9-2-1 this year in road games and have won six straight games on the road. 

UWRF has faced off against Gustavus in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in each of the last four seasons. In 2009 the Falcons won, 2-1, at Gustavus. In 2010, Gustavus took a 2-0 win in St. Peter. In 2011 and 2012 the games were played at Gustavus and the Gusties won 4-1 (2011) and 4-2 (2012). UWRF is 4-17-3 all-time against Gustavus.