Third-Period Power-Play Goal Earns No.3 Seed

MOORHEAD, Minn. (2/23/13)—Kelsey Vandegrift scored the game-winning goal at the start of the third period in Concordia's 2-1 win over Augsburg in the regular-season finale on Saturday.

Vandegrift's power play goal at 4:52 of the final frame helped the Cobbers extend its unbeaten streak to eight games and jump into third place in the final league standings. Concordia finishes the conference season with an 11-4-3 mark and earns the No.3 seed in the upcoming MIAC postseason tournament.

The Cobbers had a decided edge in shots on goal for the game but were never able to finish off their chances. Concordia outshot the Auggies 47-18 in the game – including 21-8 in the second period alone, but entered the final 20 minutes of play deadlocked at 1-1.

Vandegrift gave Concordia the win when she scored her sixth goal of the year with an assist from Jenna Westerham. It was Westerham's fifth helper on the year and she now has one assist in each of the last three games.

The Cobbers opened the scoring in the game when leading scorer Breann Julius netted her 10^th goal of the season at 9:32 of the first period. Sophomore defenseman Libby Fransdal picked up the assist on the play. Julius finished the regular season with 20 points which marks the second straight season she has posted at least 20 points.

Concordia gave up the game-tying goal to the Auggies midway through the first period and then the two teams skated through a scoreless second stanza.

Once again special teams played a big role in the outcome between the two teams. Concordia scored the game's only power play goal and were 1-for-6 on the PP while Augsburg was held scoreless in their four man-advantage situations.

Madison Denny earned her eighth win of the year in goal for Concordia. She stopped 17 of the 18 shots she faced. Auggie goalie Brianna Schulz made 45 saves and was saddled with her 16^th loss of the year.

Concordia will now face St. Thomas in the MIAC semifinals on Thursday, Feb. 28 in Mendota Heights. The time of the game has yet to be determined. The Tommies earned the No.2 seed in the tournament after winning their final four games of the year. The Cobbers and St. Thomas split their regular-season series in Moorhead at the start of December.