Cobbers Drop Series Opener at #10 Wis.-Eau Claire

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (12/09/22)---Concordia was even with No.10-ranked Wis.-Eau Claire for the first 35-minutes of their series opener in Eau Claire, but then the Blugolds scored a pair of unanswered goals at the back of the second and third periods and came away with a 4-2 win.   

The Cobbers struck first midway through the first period when freshman Morgan Sauvageau scored for the third time in the last three games. Sauvageau tipped the puck to linemate Reghan Bork who was standing in the neutral zone and bolted for the Blugold zone. Bork carried the puck down the right wing and fed a perfect pass into the slot where Sauvageau 1-timed a back shot just inside the left post.

The goal at 10:19 of the opening period was Sauvageau's sixth of the season and her eighth overall point. Bork picked up her sixth assist of the year – and fourth in the last five games.

Wis.-Eau Claire (9-2-0) tied the game 4:21 later and the teams skated to the first intermission deadlocked at 1-1.

The Blugolds took their first lead of the game when the recorded an even-strength goal at 10:14 of the second period, but the lead would last only 23-seconds.

Concordia controlled the puck off the ensuing faceoff and kept the play inside the Eau Claire zone. Freshman defended Jayda Krikorian took control of the puck along the boards at the top of the left faceoff circle. She then threw the puck on the net where it managed to get past a pile of players and slide into the net.

The unassisted goal was the first of Krikorian's collegiate career.

The Blugolds scored the eventual game-winning goal at 15:37 of the second period, and then added a fourth goal with 16:01 left in the third.

Concordia was outshot 27-15 in the game, and went 0-for-5 on the power play. Eau Claire was held scoreless in their lone power play chance as CC was whistled for only one penalty in the game.  

The game also featured the return of senior goalie Kiana Flaig who was making her return to the lineup after being on the injured list since the first weekend of the season. Flaig made 23 saves in her return to the net.

UP NEXT: Concordia will play game No.2 of the series against the nationally-ranked Blugolds on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. at the Hobbs Arena in Eau Claire.