Cobbers Fall In MIAC Quarterfinals

ST. PETER, Minn. (02/26/22)---Concordia gave up three consecutive goals in the first 35-minutes in their MIAC quarterfinal game at Gustavus, pulled within two goals early in the third period but then allowed the final two goals of the game and lost 5-1 to the top-seeded Gusties.

The loss ends the Cobbers' season after CC earned their 10th win of the year on Wednesday in their 1-0 win over St. Catherine in the first round of the conference tournament.

Concordia finishes the year with a 10-14-1 overall record.

Gustavus (20-3-2), who is ranked sixth in the latest USCHO DIII rankings, broke on top with a pair of goals in the first 10-minutes of the opening period of play. The Gusties got on the board with an event-strength goal at 5:48, and then doubled the lead less 4-minutes later with a goal at 9:29.

The Gusties would push their lead to 3-0 with the only goal of the second period. A third straight even-strength marker at 14:26 gave GAC a 3-goal cushion.

The Cobbers would come to life in the first three minutes of the third period. Senior Maiah McCowan brought CC within two goals when she netted her third goal of the season at 2:21. Libby Hinrichs was credited with the assist on the even-strength tally.

Gustavus would then get the all-important "next goal" 2:22 later. The Cobbers were whistled for a tripping penalty at the 4:39 mark, and Gustavus would score directly from the ensuing faceoff to retake a 3-goal lead.

The Gusties tacked on a fifth goal in the final 4-minutes of play to bring the final score line to 5-1.

Concordia was outshot 31-9 in the game. Paige Hanson led CC with three shots on goal.

Kiana Flaig made 26 saves on the day to bring her season total to 532 which is second in the MIAC.

The Cobbers were 0-for-1 on the power play, while Gustavus went 1-for-5.