Two-Goal Bookends Lead To 5-2 Home-Opening Win

MOORHEAD, Minn. (11/22/13)—Concordia scored the first two goals and the last two goals in a 5-2 win over Bethel on Friday. The Cobbers received goals from five different players as they won the 2013-14 home opener.

The Cobbers have won three of their last four games and are now 5-2-0 overall and 2-1-0 in conference play. Bethel remains winless on the year. They fall to 0-6-1 in all games and 0-2-1 in league play.

Concordia senior defenseman Caleb Suderman started a four-goal spree in a span of 3:54 at the back end of the first period. Suderman sniped a shot from the left point to record his team-leading sixth goal of the season. His goal at 14:03 was the first of three for CC in the period. Joe Becker added to Concordia's lead at 16:40 when he scored his first goal of the season. Becker finished off a goalmouth scrum after the puck was played by Adam Wiertzema and Jordan Christianson who earned assists on the play.

The Cobbers' 2-0 lead was short-lived as Bethel scored 50-seconds later. Concordia would retaliate in less than 30-seconds. Moorhead native Quinn Buckellew scored at 17:57 to restore CC's two-goal lead. Buckellew's first collegiate goal was assisted by Rylan Henley and Derek Whitehill.

The teams would skate through a scoreless second period and then the Royals got to within one when they scored at the 3:15 mark of the third period. It would take the Cobbers seven minutes to get back to a two-goal cushion. Andrews finished off a passing play from Henley and Charlie Aus to earn his first goal of the season.

Concordia freshman Garrett Hendrickson finished off the scoring when he scored from a tight angle on the right side of the goal. Hendrickson's second goal of the season was assisted by Deters and Jared Maetche.

The Cobber penalty killers had another successful night. CC's Mallard crew held the Royals to a lone goal in four power play attempts. Included in that statistic was a crucial 5-on-3 situation at the end of the first period and start of the second period.

Concordia outshot Bethel 38-19 in the game including a 12-4 advantage in the third period. The 19 shots allowed by the Cobbers are the fewest of the season. CC goalie Chris Neamonitis made 17 saves to earn his fifth win of the year. BU netminder Steven Bolton turned aside 33 shots in the three periods of play.

The two teams will finish off the two-game series tomorrow at 2 p.m. at the Moorhead Sports Center.