SIMI VALLEY, Calif. - In a battle featuring two desperate teams Friday No. 13 ranked Northern Colorado scored three unanswered goals to beat No. 12 CSUN 3-1.

     The Bears picked up the huge win against the team they are trying to leapfrog to get back into a Regionals spot.

     Things started well for the Matadors on senior night. Captain John Michael Laurin forced a turnover in the high slot just 1:35 into the game and beat Sean Cuscaden to his right side on the back hand. But UNC got the equalizer at 4:07. Paul Norris fired a wrist shot through the five hole of Caleb Mead from the blue line.

     There was just one goal in the middle frame but it turned out to be the game winner. Norris scored again at 12:28 getting a nice centering pass from Nick Sheridan. CSUN received four straight power plays to end the period including a 5-on-3 with 13 seconds left that carried over into the third period but they weren't able to convert. Overall the Matadors came up empty on seven power play opportunities.

     The Bears leading goal scorer Cade Boreing put the game away at 2:19 of the third. Boreing was able to sneak the puck under Mead to make it 3-1.

     The loss was the first in regulation for the Matadors this season. They now have an overall record of 19-1-1-2 and the longest winning streak in the Division 2 era also ended at 12 games. CSUN currently does not have a win against a ranked team with a loss to UNC, an overtime loss to No. 10 East Texas Baptist and a tie against No. 15 Colorado.

     The final game of the regular season is Saturday at West Coast Hockey Conference rival Loyola Marymount. The Matadors have a chance to finish with a perfect conference record. Puck drop is at 5:50 p.m.