Metanova's three points guides Women's Hockey past Marian

MEQUON, Wis. – Coming into Thursday night the Concordia University Wisconsin Women's Hockey team had struggled offensively during its three-game losing streak. The Falcons solved those issues with a five-goal outburst, led by three points from freshman Veronika Metanova, in defeating Marian University 5-2 in Northern Collegiate Hockey Association action at the Ozaukee Ice Center.

Metanova (Palatine, Ill.) scored two goals and added one assist, moving to the top of the Falcons point leaders this season with seven. Also scoring for CUW was freshman Leslie Matera (Evanston, Ill.), sophomore Chelsea Regan (Oakdale, Minn.) and junior Samantha Reiter (Stillwater, Minn.).

Metanova put the Falcons up 1-0 early as she tallied an unassisted goal just 2:02 into play. The Sabres responded 3:03 later when Kristin Skubic scored off a pass from Kelly Leslie, evening the score at 1-1 at the 5:05 mark of the opening period.

CUW made sure they took a lead into the first intermission as Matera scored her first career collegiate goal with 8:30 remaining in the opening stanza. Metanova and sophomore Alexis Machuga (Rochester Hills, Mich.) added assists on the Matera score.

The second period was all CUW as they scored three times, taking a commanding 5-1 edge into the second break. Metanova scored what would go down as the game-winner at the 3:28 mark, again recording an unassisted goal. Regan then added a goal off assists from freshman Brittany Sticha (Lonsdale, Minn.) and senior Maxine Blohowiak (Green Bay, Wis.). Sticha's assist was her first career point.

The Falcons went up 5-1 with under a minute left in the second period as Reiter scored despite her team being shorthanded. Reiter made a great play to secure the puck in the Falcons defensive zone and then broke free, beating the keeper top shelf. It was the second shorthanded goal of her career, which moves her into a four-way tie for first place on the Falcons career list.

Marian would add a score in the third period to make the final 5-2. Each team finished with 26 shots on goal, but CUW received far superior play between the pipes as junior Jennifer DeGeorge (Waukesha, Wis.) made several big saves, finishing with 24. Marian's starter was chased midway through the second period and Ali Glazer played well in relief, making 14 saves over the final period and a half, allowing just one goal.

CUW will have a couple weeks off as they won't play again until hosting St. Norbert College in a NCHA weekend series December 6-7. The Falcons and Green Knights will begin that series December 6 at 7 p.m. at the Ozaukee Ice Center.