Overtime Winner For The Home Opener

MOORHEAD, Minn. (11/08/19)---Concordia overcame a 2-goal deficit late in the second period and beat Northland 4-3 in overtime in the home opener at the Moorhead Sports Center.

The Cobbers scored three consecutive goals in the second and third periods and looked like they would win 3-2 in regulation before the Lumberjills tied the game at the 18:00 mark of the third frame.

The late-game drama set up early OT power play heroics from senior captain Ally Wiitala who tipped in a shot from Callie Fagerstrom in the first minute of the extra session.

Wiitala's game winner earned Concordia its first win of the season. The Cobbers, who dropped their opener last weekend at St. Benedict, move to 1-1 on the year. Northland has its 2-game win streak come to an end. The Lumberjills beat MIAC opponent Bethel last Saturday and then added a second win on Tuesday against Finlandia.

Concordia outshot Northland in all three periods and overtime but had a hard time finding the back of the net. The Cobbers held a 13-5 edge in shots on goal in the first period but it was Northland who took a 1-0 lead into the first break when they scored a goalmouth-scramble goal at 12:42.

The Lumberjills would double their lead in the fourth minute of the second period and it looked like it wasn't going to be the Cobbers' night.

The game then turned in the final five minutes of the second period when freshman McKenzie Oelkers cut the Northland lead in half. Oelkers picked up her first collegiate goal at the 16:28 mark. Junior Kaitlyn Page earned the assist on the play.

Oelkers' goal set the stage for Concordia to continue attacking the net and put up two more goals in the third period. Sara Baumann got her first goal of the year at 10:37 with an assist from Hannah Christian and then Amanda Flemming put the Cobbers in front with a power play goal at 15:21. Page collected her second assist of the game on the go-ahead goal.

Northland tied the game at 18:00 of the third period but then took an interference penalty at the 19:55 mark to give the Cobbers a power play heading into overtime which led to the game winner from Wiitala.

Senior Amy Jost got the start in goal and made 13 saves to collect her sixth win in maroon and gold.

Concordia doubled up Northland in shots on goal with a 32-16 edge. Flemming had a game-high nine shots in the game.

The Cobbers went 2-for-5  on the power play and Northland was 1-for-5.

UP NEXT: Concordia and Northland will finish the 2-game series on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. at the Moorhead Sports Center.