3-Goal Second Periods Is Difference In Series Finale

BLAINE, Minn. (1/20/24)---A 3-goal second period proved to be the difference in the Cobbers' series finale at Bethel. Concordia and the Royals skated to a 2-2 tie in the first and third frames, but Bethel was able to score thee straight in the second period and come away with a 5-2 win.

The loss give the Cobbers a split in the series. CC is now 5-11-1 in all games and 1-8-1 in the MIAC. The Royals move to 9-6-1 overall and 4-5-1 in league play.

Bethel opened the scoring at the 11:46 mark of the first frame before Concordia sophomore Jaclyn Lloyd tied the game with 6 seconds left in the opening period. The goal was Lloyd's fourth of the year and was assisted by Grace Doerring and Paige Hanson.

The Royals swung the game in their favor by scoring two goals in the first 110 seconds of the second period. They would add a third at the 8:19 mark of the second period to take a 4-1 lead into the second break.

Cobber senior Jerica Friese would cut the margin to two goals when she scored her second goal of the series at the 55-second mark of the third period. The goal was Friese's team-leading seventh of the season, with Jayda Krikorian registering the assist.   

CC was never able to get to within two goals before the Royals added an empty-net strike at 17:28.

Concordia outshot Bethel 30-25 in the game and 64-44 for the series. Friese led all players with seven shots on goal.

Hailee Bailey got her second start of the series and made 20 saves.

UP NEXT: Concordia will return home to host their first series in over a month. The Cobbers will face St. Olaf in a 2-game series on Jan. 26-27.