First-Period Goals Decide Series Opener With St. Olaf

MOORHEAD, Minn. (1/26/24)---A pair of first-period goals proved to be the difference in Concordia's 2-1 loss to St. Olaf in the series opener.

The Oles scored two goals in a span of 1:27 to jump to a 2-0 lead and were able to hang on in the second and third periods as the Cobbers outshot the Oles 21-11 in the final 40 minutes of play.

The loss drops the Cobbers overall record to 5-12-1 on the year. CC is 1-9-1 in league play.

The game started with Concordia holding the majority of the zone time. CC had several chances from between the faceoff circles before St. Olaf took advantage of a counterattack rush down the ice and poked home the first goal at the 8:55 mark.

St. Olaf (7-11-0, 1-10-0 MIAC) netted the eventual game-winning goal at 10:22 when they were able to beat the Cobber defense to the puck on a "dump in" and then came through with a successful wraparound attempt before Concordia goalie Hailee Bailey could get into position.

The Cobbers had three shots on goal in the final 7 minutes of the first period and five more at the start of the second frame before they were finally able to get on the board.

Sophomore Morgan Sauvageau took possession of the puck in the Cobbers' zone, turned up ice and proceeded to beat three St. Olaf defenders to set up a 2-on-1 situation with teammate Jerica Friese. The Ole defensive player cut off the passing lane to Friese so Sauvageau was able to get an open shot on goal and snapped home a shot that found the top right corner of the net.

The unassisted goal at 6:33 of the second period was Sauvageau's fifth of the season which ties Taylyn Cope for the team lead.

Concordia would search for the game-tying goal for the remaining 33 minutes of play, put up 16 shots on net during that time but couldn't get the equalizer.

The Cobbers outshot St. Olaf 26-19 for the game. Sauvageau had a team-high four shots, while Lila Lanctot, Josie Hell, Grace Doerring and Friese all put three shots on frame.   

Neither team scored on the power play. CC was 0-for-2 with the extra skater, while the Oles went 0-for-1 on their PP chances.

Bailey made 17 saves in goal for Concordia.   

Up Next: The Cobbers will look for the series split when they host St. Olaf on Saturday, January 27 at 2 p.m.