Two-Goal Rally Earns Three Points

WINONA, Minn. (2/18/12)—Concordia rallied from a 2-0 deficit and tied the game late in the third period against St. Mary's and went on to record a 2-2 overtime tie in Winona. The Cobbers had a chance to win the game on a penalty shot in the extra period but the chance was turned aside by the Cardinal goalie.

The tie earns Concordia three out of four points on the weekend and keeps them locked into second place in the league standings. CC is now 13-4-4 overall and 9-3-4 in league play. The Cobbers have 22 league points and are three points ahead of third place Bethel. St. Mary's is now 6-12-5 in all games and 3-9-4 in the MIAC.

The Cobbers fell behind 2-0 after allowing a pair of power play goals in a 7:00 span at the end of the first period and start of the second.  Breann Julius started the Concordia comeback when she scored a power play goal at the 13:56 mark of the middle frame. Katelyn Dold and Ali Nelson were credited with the assists. It would be the first of two helpers on the day for Dold.

It looked like the Cobbers might be on the wrong end of the 2-1 score. CC completely dominated the third period but couldn't come up with the game-tying goal. Concordia was outshot 18-16 in the first two periods but then held a 17-5 advantage in the final 20 minutes of regulation.

Concordia finally tied the game on a 3-on-1 head rush. After a pass hit one of the officials and bounced to the middle of the ice, the Cobbers raced to the SMU goal with a 3-on-1. The initial shot was stopped but then Kelesy Vandegrift knocked home the rebound. Dold and freshman Libby Fransdal were the other two players on the odd-man rush and earned assists on the goal.

The Cobbers owned the overtime period but were turned away time after time. CC outshot St. Mary's 6-0 in the 5-minute period. The best chance came on the penalty shot. Julius was awarded the penalty shot after being hooked from behind on a breakaway. On the penalty shot, Julius skated down the left side and crossed over the face of goal with the puck on her forehand. Cardinal goalie Sarah Gustafson stayed with the move and stopped the would-be game-winner with her pad.

Concordia wound up with a 39-23 advantage in shots on goal. CC goalie Becca Hendrickson stopped 21 shots and remains unbeaten on the year. She is now 5-0-1. Gustafson made 37 saves in the game.

Concordia will finish off the regular season with a two-game series at Augsburg next weekend. If the Cobbers can take three of four points from the Auggies then they will earn the No.2 seed in the upcoming MIAC playoffs and host the No.3 seed in the semifinals on Thursday, Mar. 1.