Bookend Goals Aren't Enough In Conference Opener

MOORHEAD, Minn. (11/11/22)---Concordia scored the first and last goals of the game in their conference opener against St. Benedict but it wasn't enough, as the Bennies scored three straight in the second and third periods and handed the Cobbers a 3-2 defeat.

The Cobbers scored the first and last goals, but it wasn't enough as they had their 3-game win streak to start the season come to an end.

Freshman Morgan Sauvageau gave Concordia a 1-0 lead when she tapped home a centering pass from junior Jerica Friese. Friese was able to get behind the Bennie defense at the bottom of the left faceoff circle and cut towards the goal. She then slid a backhand pass to the top of the crease which met Sauvageau as she crashed the net.

The goal at 8:15 was Sauvageau's third of the season. Friese and Paige Hanson were credited with the assists.        

That offensive surge by the Cobbers midway through the first period would be the final sustained pressure for CC until the final period of play.

St. Benedict (2-3-0) scored twice in the second period to take a 2-1 lead into the second intermission. The Bennies outshot the Cobbers 15-6 in the middle frame and got even-strength goals at 8:45 and 17:23.

St. Ben's pushed their lead to two goals at 3-1 when they notched their third straight goal of the game at the 8:46 mark of the third period.

Concordia was able to get past the pressure of the CSB forecheck and started to gain more offensive zone time in the final 12 minutes of play. The Cobbers were rewarded for their persistence when CSB was whistled for a tripping penalty at 10:01 and then Friese scored only 18-seconds later.

Kaylie Klemetsrud's shot from just inside the top of the left faceoff circle was blocked in front of the goal by Sauvageau. The puck caromed back to Friese who was cutting across the face of the goal. She controlled the puck and then sent a backhand that slide inside the left post before the CSB could get across the face of the goal to make the save.

Friese's goal at 10:19 was her fourth of the year and continued her streak of multiple-point games. She has now posted at least two points in all three games she has played this season. Friese's goal alsoset the stage for a dramatic final 9-minutes of action.

The St. Ben's goalie made several key stops down the stretch to keep CC from tying the game. Concordia made one last push in the final minute of play when they pulled goalie Becca Macklin, but could never come up with the game-tying score.

St. Benedict outshot Concordia 37-21 for the game. Sauvageau led the Cobbers with five shots.

The Cobbers were 1-for-3 on the power play and held the Bennies scoreless in their two player-advantage situations.

Macklin made a season-high 34 saves in goal for CC. She has only allowed three total goals in her three starts this season.

UP NEXT: The two teams will finish off the 2-game series when they play at the Ritschie Arena in St. Cloud on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.