DeGeorge records career-high 54 saves, Women’s Hockey ties St. Scholastica

MEQUON, Wis. - Concordia University Wisconsin took a two goal lead and Jennifer DeGeorge had a career night between the pipes, but it wasn't enough as the College of St. Scholastica fought back to earn a 2-2 overtime tie in Northern Collegiate Hockey Association play on Friday night inside the Ozaukee Ice Center.

CSS knows how to shoot the puck on goal, leading the NCHA, and did so again throughout 65 minutes of play. The Saints fired 56 shots on goal compared to the Falcons 27 shots on target.

However, CUW freshman goalie DeGeorge was dialed in from the start and recorded a season- and career-best 54 saves. The Waukesha, Wis., native tied her previous season- and career-high of 37 saves after the second period ended.

CUW (7-13-2, 5-11-1 NCHA) used its speed early with a pair of breakaway goals by seniors Bradi Jonasson (Bloomington, Wis.) and Alyssa Isaackson (Marshall, Minn.). CSS answered with a goal less than a minute later by Nina Waidacher.

The Falcons controlled the pace of play, despite being outshot, until the final seconds of regulation. With 24.6 seconds remaining in regulation the Saints snuck one past DeGeorge on a scramble in front of the net to send the contest into an extra period.

Senior Hilary Christiansen (Eagan, Minn.), junior Samantha Meuwissen (Chanhassen, Minn.), junior Sara Cole (Plymouth, Wis.) and senior Muriel McIntyre (Penticton, British Columbia) were each credited with an assist on CUW's two goals.

The Falcons scored the game's first tally less than 10 minutes into play when CSS (12-6-4, 10-5-2 NCHA) turned the puck over and Jonasson used her speed to break away. McIntyre passed the puck ahead to Jonasson who shot high, glove side for the goal.

Isaackson took a centering pass from Meuwissen and shot low, glove side to give CUW a 2-0 lead in the second period.

Less than a minute later Waidacher shot high, glove side for a one-timer to cut CSS's deficit to 2-1 in the second period.

The final goal scored in the contest came from Waidacher, her second of the contest, after she corralled the puck on a scramble in front of the net and fired a shot past DeGeorge to tie the game with less than 30 seconds to play.

CUW concludes its three-game homestand Saturday at 2 p.m. inside the Ozaukee Ice Center against CSS. The Falcons will honor their seniors between the first and second periods.