Final Theme Of 2021 Continues At The Start Of 2022

RIVER FALLS, Wis. (01/07/22)---Concordia started 2022 the same way the ended 2021, by battling back-and-forth against a Top 5-ranked Wisconsin opponent. 

The Cobbers split with No.2-ranked Wis.-Eau Claire in the final series of last calendar year. They opened the New Year by falling 4-3 at No.5-ranked Wis.-River Falls.

Concordia fell behind 3-1 at the start of the second period, but then two straight goals – including the game-tying tally by Josie Hell at the 1:21 of the third period – leveled the score at 3-3. The Falcons wasted little time in regaining the lead. They scored 29-seconds later to get back in front 4-3, and then held off the Cobbers for the final 18 minutes of play.

The loss evens Concordia's overall record at 6-6-0. River Falls wins for the fourth straight game and improves to 11-1-0 on the year. Their only defeat of the season came against Wis.-Eau Claire.

It took the Cobbers a full 15 minutes to shake off the rust from the holiday break. CC conceded a pair of goals in the first 14 minutes of play and trailed 2-0 before McKenzie Oelkers got Concordia on the board with an even-strength goal at 17:16. Oelkers' second goal of the season was set up by Brooke McMillen.

River Falls reestablished the 2-goal cushion in the first minute of the second period. Concordia then tightened its play in the defensive zone and started to gain more offensive zone time. The Cobbers started their 2-goal comeback when sophomore Jerica Friese scored on the power play at the 5:59 mark of the middle period. Jordie Egerdahl and Abbey Hardwick earned the assists on Friese' team-leading seventh goal of the year. Friese is tied for third in the conference in goals scored this season.

The Cobbers tied the game in the second minute of the third period behind Hell's third goal of the year.

Concordia would have several chances in the final 18 minutes of the game, but couldn't come through with the crucial game-tying tally.

Junior goalie Kiana Flaig stopped 30 of the 34 shots she faced. It is the fourth straight game she has made at least 30 saves. Flaig now has 235 saves for the season which is tied for the most in the MIAC.    

Concordia went 1-for-4 in power play attempts, while the Falcons were held scoreless in their three player-advantage situations. CC is third in the MIAC in penalty kill percentage. They have successfully killed off 43 of the 49 power play chances against the team this year.

UP NEXT: Concordia and River Falls will finish the 2-game series to start 2022 when they square off on Saturday, Jan. 8 at 2 p.m. at the Hunt Arena.