First & Last Lead To Series-Opening Win

BLAINE, Minn. (1/19/24)---Concordia scored the first goal and the last goal in its series opener at Bethel. Everything in between just added to the drama of the Cobbers' 3-2 overtime win over the Royals.

The victory is the first conference win for Concordia on the year and puts an end to a 4-game losing skid. CC is now 5-10-1 overall and 1-7-1 in the MIAC. Bethel falls to 8-6-1 in all games and 3-5-1 in the league.

Fittingly, it was a Cobber first-year player who opened the scoring and then a CC senior ended the game in overtime.

Taylyn Cope staked Concordia to a 1-0 lead when she netted her fifth goal of the year at 12:31 of the second period. Cope's goal, which came on the power play, was set up by Paige Hanson and Grace Doerring.

Bethel tied the game with only 28 seconds remaining in the second period and took its first lead of the game in the second minute of the third frame.

The game would stay at 2-1 in favor of BU until senior Jerica Friese posted the equalizer at the 12:24 mark of the final frame. Morgan Sauvageau recorded the helper on the game-tying goal. It would be the first of two consecutive assists for Sauvageau.

Hanson would come through with the game-winning goal in the second minute of overtime. The Cobbers were awarded a 4-on-3 power play at the 30-second mark of the OT session when a Bethel player was called for a tripping penalty.

Hanson took advantage of the extra skater when she pulled the trigger on a wrist shot from the top of the faceoff circles that found its way through a group of players in front of the goal and into the back of the net.

The game-winner was Hanson's second nugget of the year. Sauvageau and Cope were awarded the assists on the final shot of the game.

Concordia had a decided 34-19 advantage in shots on goal for the game. CC outshot the Royals 15-5 in the third period and OT session.

Sophomore goalie Hailee Bailey made 17 saves to record her fourth win of the year.      

UP NEXT: Concordia will look to gain the sweep in the series when they play at Bethel on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 2 p.m.