Ready For A Conference Run

RIVER FALLS, Minn. (01/08/22)---Concordia played even with No.5-ranked Wis.-River Falls for the final 50 minutes in their series finale. Unfortunately, the first 10 minutes proved to be the deciding factor as the Cobbers conceded three goals and fell 5-2.

The loss finishes a streak of four straight games against Top 5 opponents for Concordia. CC went 1-3-0 in that string, but gained valuable top-level experience which will help them when they return to MIAC action next weekend.

The Cobbers are now 6-6-0 on the season.  

River Falls (12-1-0) posted goals at the 3:09, 8:32 and 9:45 marks of the first period to bolt to a 3-0 lead. Concordia calmed the early barrage, and then struck for their first goal at 13:41. Freshman Abbey Hardwick brought the Cobbers to within two goals when she scored her seventh goal of the season. Jerica Friese and Allison O'Kane were credited with the assists on the strike.

Friese would bring Concordia to within one goal in the first minute of the second period. She scored on the power play at the 51-second mark to push the score to 3-2. Hardwick and Jordie Egerdahl earned the helpers for Friese' team-leading eighth goal of the year.

Both Friese and Hardwick had two points on the day and continue to lead the team in scoring. Friese leads Concordia with eight goals and four assists for 12 points and Hardwick has seven goals and four assists for 11 points.

The teams would skate into the second intermission with the score still 3-2, but then River Falls came up with the important "next goal" at 9:32 of the third period.

The score line will look more lopsided than the game because the Falcons were able to score the final goal in the last minute of play without the scoresheet showing the tally as an empty net strike. Cobber goalie Becca Macklin was skating to the bench to give CC an extra skater, but River Falls gained control of the puck and fired it from their own blue line and into the net before Macklin could make it to the bench.

Macklin played the final 48:54 in the game after taking over for Kiana Flaig. Macklin made a season-high 32 saves.

Concordia was outshot 49-12 in the game. Hardwick led CC with three shots on goal.

UP NEXT: The Cobbers return to conference action when they host St. Catherine on Jan. 14-15. The Wildcats are 5-7-1 overall, but 1-5-0 in league play.