A Record-Setting Shutout Streak

MOORHEAD, Minn. (11/20/15) --- Concordia recorded its record-setting third consecutive shutout and beat St. Catherine 1-0.

The Cobbers used three-parts Andrea Klug and one-part defense to post their first two shutouts in the streak but against the Wildcats it was two-parts defense and one-part Klug. The three straight blankings have led to three straight wins to open MIAC play. It is also the first time since the 2002-03 season that Concordia has started conference play with three straight wins.

Concordia is now 3-2-0 on the year while St. Catherine continues to look for its first win. The Wildcats are currently 0-4-2 overall and 0-3-0 in league play.

Klug had to make 56 saves in the two shutout wins over St. Benedict last weekend but against St. Catherine in the series opener she only turned away 12 shots – most of which came from beyond the faceoff circles.

The Cobber defensive corps of Cassey Petrich and Chelsey Petrich, Hannah Johnston, Morgan Bruns, Amelia Amon and Kara Tupa routinely bottled up the Wildcat attack in the neutral zone and then chased down SCU attackers and poked the puck away before they could take advantage of an odd-man rush situation.

Concordia held St. Catherine to five shots on goal then four in the second and finally three in the third when the game was on the line. The 12 total shots also included five power play attempts.

On the other end of the ice the Cobber offense was able to put up a season-high 43 shots on goal but could only come up with a late second-period score. While CC used their swarming defense to shut down the SCU attack, it was the rock-solid play of Wildcat goalie Kristen Pechacek that kept the game close for the full 60 minutes.

Pechacek stood tall and turned aside 42 of the 43 shots she faced which included 24 from right in front of the net.

Pechacek and Klug are the two top goalies in the MIAC this season. Pechacek leads the league with a 1.21 goals against average while Klug is second with a 1.26 mark.    

Concordia also went 0-for-5 on the power play in the game and had 18 shots stopped when they had the extra skater.

The lone goal of the game came with 1:14 left in the second period. St. Catherine was unable to clear its defensive zone and the puck finally landed on the stick of Jess Nelson who was standing between the circles. Nelson backhanded a pass which found the tape of junior forward Ellen Rethwisch. Rethwisch controlled the puck with her first touch and then beat Pechacek on the short side befre the SCU goalie could square up to make the stop.

The goal was Rethwisch's second of the season and first game winner of the campaign.

WHAT'S NEXT: The two shut down goalies will once again take center stage when the two teams square off in the series finale on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. at the Moorhead Sports Center. 

Concordia Goal Video vs. St. Catherine