Isaakson’s overtime goal propels Women's Hockey to season-opening victory

MEQUON, Wis. - Senior forward Alyssa Isaackson scored the game-winning goal in overtime with less than a minute to play as the Concordia University Wisconsin women's hockey team earned a home and season opening, 5-4, victory over Marian University at the Ozaukee Ice Center on Tuesday night during Northern Collegiate Hockey Association play.

CUW's (1-0-0, 1-0-0 NCHA) offense was on the attack all game, especially in the extra period when it had a sizeable 15-1 shot advantage. After a flurry of shots around the net, Issackson (Marshall, Minn.) gathered the puck off an Amanda Alexander save and slammed it in the back of the net for the game winner. It was the fourth game-winning goal of her career.

The back-and-forth affair featured four lead changes and three scoring ties. Despite being outshot 52-28 in the contest, MU (0-2-0, 0-1-0 NCHA) found a way to stay in the game behind three power play goals and a shorthanded tally.

Falcon freshman forward Emily Heckendorf (Merrill, Wis.) had an outstanding start to her career with two goals and two assists to lead CUW's offense. Senior forward Hilary Christiansen (Eagan, Minn.) and freshman forward Kelsey Kusch (Saint Clair Shores, Mich.) also added goals for the Falcons.

Freshman goaltender Kaitlyn Evans (1-0-0) recorded 24 saves in the victory. Evans was forced to save just one shot in the overtime period.

Amanda Waigand scored a pair of goals and assisted on another to lead the Sabres offense. Megan Sesing-Gomoll and Alex DeBoer also scored for MU.

Marian goaltender Alexander (0-2-0) was forced to make double-digit saves in two periods and the extra session en route to 47 total saves.

The Sabres found the back of the net early with a pair of power play goals to take a 2-0 lead before the Falcons responded with a goal to end the opening 20 minutes of play facing a 2-1 disadvantage.

CUW opened the second period with two unanswered goals (one on a power play) to turn the early deficit into a 3-2 lead halfway through the period.

MU responded with a power play tally and subsequent shorthanded goal to regain the advantage at the end of the second 20 minutes with a 4-3 lead.

Kusch scored the lone goal in the final period of regulation, the all-important game-tying tally for the Falcons halfway through the third set of 20 minutes.

CUW returns to the ice on Friday for a 7 p.m. non-conference matchup with Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn. at Lund Arena.