Cobbers Knock, But No One Answers In Series Opener

MOORHEAD, Minn. (11/17/23)---Concordia knocked on the door numerous times throughout their game with St. Catherine, but each time they knocked, the Wildcats' goalie wouldn't let them in or there was no one home.

The Cobbers could never come up with a game-tying goal in the second or third periods and lost 3-2 to St. Catherine in the first game of the 2-game series.

Concordia gave up goals in the first 5 minutes of all three periods and could never recover from a 2-goal deficit at the start of the middle frame despite outshooting the Wildcats 25-14 in the final two periods of play.

The loss is the third straight to start conference play for the Cobbers, who are now 1-3-0 in all games. St. Catherine picks up its first league win and is now 3-4-0 overall and 1-2-0 in the MIAC.

St. Catherine opened the scoring at the 48-second mark of the first period. They doubled their lead at 2:13 of the second frame. Both goals were even-strength tallies and put CC in a 2-goal hole.

First-year forward Taylor Severson finally got the Cobbers when she netted her second goal in as many games. She tapped in a rebound after Kaylie Zimmerman took a shot from the right-wing boards just inside the faceoff circle.

Severson has now posted at least one point in all four Cobber games and is tied for the team lead in points with four.

The Cobbers had numerous chances to score in the second period but couldn't find the back of the net. CC put up 16 shots on goal in the middle 20 minutes of play and had a couple of golden opportunities from just outside the crease.

The Wildcats regained their 2-goal lead on a seeing-eye shot from the point at 4:25 of the final frame.

Jayda Krikorian closed out the scoring when she netted a power play goal at 13:20. Reagan Wohlers won the draw on the right side of the SCU goal and got it back to Krikorian whose shot was redirected out front and beat the St. Catherine netminder. Krikorian's tally at 13:20 was her first of the season and second of her career.

The final 6 minutes was played mainly in the SCU zone, with the Cobbers posting six shots on goal and seven total shots. CC pulled goalie Becca Macklin with 1:33 left in regulation but was unable to find a way inside to get the game-tying goal.     

Concordia held a decided 31-18 edge in shots on goal. The Cobbers were 1-for-4 on the power play and held the Wildcats scoreless in their two opportunities.

Macklin made 15 saves in her first start of the season.

UP NEXT: Concordia will look for the split in the series when the teams square off in the finale on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 2 p.m.