MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Vikings (4-6, 0-1 SAA) suffered a tough loss in their first game in conference play against the Rhodes College Lynx, falling 9-20. The Vikings were outgunned, allowing the Lynx to attempt 42 shots to their 18. Dani Taraska was a bright spot for the Vikings, contributing to over half of their goals.

On a two-game win streak and looking to keep rolling, the Lynx gained control of the first draw to get the contest going. Rhodes took no time to get into gear, scoring first before a minute had elapsed from the game clock. Despite the quick start, the Lynx couldn't go ahead much further before Dani Taraska had her first goal of the game, tying the score 1-1.

The Lynx didn't let the score remain tied for long as they netted their second goal almost immediately. Riding the momentum from the quick offense, the Lynx extended their lead to three goals.
Playing from behind and looking to put together a run of their own, Lillie Swanson scored her first goal of the game to cut the deficit to two, and Dani Taraska had her second goal of the day to bring the Vikings back within one with six minutes left in the period.
The Vikings were unable to build into a lead as the Lynx once again found their offense, taking the lead back to four by the end of the first period, the score 3-7.

With the beginning of the second period, the Lynx continued to run up the score, quickly scoring their eighth point for the contest. Katie Claire Smith was able to offer some respite from the Lynx effort, securing the first goal of the period for the Vikings, and Dani Taraska followed her effort by completing her hat-trick, bringing the Vikings back within 3. However, that would be all the Vikings could contribute to their total for the period.

On the other end, the Lynx extended their lead back to five and, with seven minutes left, seemed primed to put the Vikings away before the start of the second half. However, Libby Pittman was a brick wall as the second period went on, earning three saves to keep the Lynx out of the goal for the half, the score 5-10.

Leaving halftime, the Lynx once again struck first. Fully rested coming out of the break, the Lynx took the driver's seat and rolled out to a double-digit lead.
Lillie Swanson had her second goal of the game, getting the Vikings on the scoreboard with four minutes left in the period. The Vikings couldn't find the back of the net, and the Lynx took a lead of twelve into the final period, the score 6-18.

With the Vikings down by double digits, the Lynx just had to eat up the rest of the game clock. The Vikings made an effort to break double digits, and the Lynx tacked two more to their total to make the final score 9-20.

The Vikings return to Valhalla next Saturday, April 4, where they'll look to earn their stripes against the Sewanee Tigers. The game tips off at 1:00 p.m.