Slow Start But Plenty Of Positives After

MOORHEAD, Minn. (11/01/13)—A trio of defensive zone lapses in the first period spoiled the coaching debut for former University of Minnesota national champion Sarah Erickson. The Cobbers gave up three goals in the opening period of play and lost 4-0 to No.8-ranked St. Norbert in the season opener for both teams.

"I told the players in the locker room after the game, three defensive zone breakdowns in the first seven minutes and the rest of the game was back and forth," stated Erickson. ""I take nothing but good away from the game. The girls bounced back from their mistakes and we played with one of the top teams in the country."

The first minute of play proved to be prophetic for Concordia. The Cobbers held the puck for most of the first 60 seconds but the Green Knights were able to take advantage of a miscue and chipped home the opening goal of the game at the 58-second mark on the very first shot of the season.

Concordia would then have a pair of power plays and not capitalize despite getting seven shots and holding a huge edge in zone time. St. Norbert would score 90 seconds after the end of the second power play to take a 2-0 lead. Once again break down in coverage led to a wide open shot in front of the CC goal.

Perhaps the biggest goal of the game came in the final 30 seconds of the first frame. The Cobbers were whistled for their first, and only, penalty and the Green Knights wasted little time taking advantage as the kept the puck in the Concordia zone and then scored the third goal of the game only 11 seconds into the man-advantage situation.

The Cobbers stumbled in special teams. CC allowed the late-period goal on their only penalty kill situation and went 0-for-5 on power play attempts on the offensive end.  

"We need to get the puck to the net more," stated Erickson. "It comes down to being comfortable with the new systems and the surroundings."

The teams played virtually even through the final 40 minutes of play with the Green Knights holding a 14-11 edge in shots on goal in the second and third periods. St. Norbert added an empty-net goal at 18:38 of the final period to cap off the 4-0 score line.

St. Norbert held a 25-19 edge in shots on goal for the game. Sophomore Anna Westmark and freshman Amber Schaak both had a team-high three shots in the game.

Madison Denny turned aside 21 shots while Green Knight goalie Kaley Gibson made 19 saves to earn the initial win of the year.

Concordia will now host UW-Stevens Point in a two-game series on Friday, Nov. 8 and Saturday, Nov. 9.

Erickson is looking forward to next weekend. "We'll make adjustments," said Erickson. "The biggest thing is to maintain a positive mentality. Win or lose you have to learn from the game."