Three first-period goals guide Women's Hockey to win over Marian

MEQUON, Wis. – Three first-period goals helped the Concordia University Wisconsin Women's Hockey team get a much needed win Friday night. The Falcons scored three times in a 5:34 span to down Marian University by a 3-2 count in Northern Collegiate Hockey Association at the Ozaukee Ice Center.

All five goals between the two teams were scored in the opening 20 minutes. The Falcons were able to gain the upper hand over the opening stanza thanks in large part to a fantastic individual effort shorthanded goal by freshman Brandi Muller (Anchorage, Alaska). Muller stole the puck from a Marian defenseman in the MU zone and beat the keeper, which gave CUW a 3-1 lead at the time. Muller's score would go down as the game-winner. After the first period it was all defense and goaltending as freshman Bridget Slater (Roseau, Minn.) picked up her first career collegiate win for the Falcons.

Muller wasn't the only Falcon to light the lamp in the first period as the pink jerseys CUW was wearing seemed to spark the offense. After falling behind 1-0 on a Marian goal from Amanda Waigand 6:00 into play, the Falcons rallied for three unanswered. Junior Samantha Reiter (Stillwater, Minn.) started the run with a rebound goal assisted by junior Jayda Hoerres (Melrose, Wis.) at the 11:06 mark of play.

CUW (7-14-1, 5-9-1) was able to take a 2-1 lead 4:06 later when freshman Baylee Darling (Holmen, Wis.) scored off an assist from senior Maxine Blohowiak (Green Bay, Wis.). Muller would then make the score 3-1 with her shorthanded score, the fourth shorthanded goal of the season for the Falcons.

MU (5-15-1, 4-11-0 NCHA) would make the score 3-2 before the first intermission on when Waigand buried her second goal of the period. She scored on the power play with 1:29 remaining before the first break.

After the first 20 minutes the goaltenders settled into their roles, combining 37 saves over the final two periods. Slater made nine saves over the final two periods to finish with 19 for the contest. Her counterpart, Ali Glazer, stopped 34 shots as the Falcons held a big edge in shots on goal, 37-21.

The win was the first for CUW since January 3 and first NCHA win since December 7. The Falcons definitely prefer to play on their home ice, improving to 5-5-1 at home, a good sign considering each of their final three regular season contests will be at the Ozaukee Ice Center. CUW also improved to 10-0-0 all-time against Marian.

The first of those three home games will be tomorrow afternoon when Marian and CUW conclude their season series. Puck is set to drop at 4 p.m. and it will be Senior Day as the Falcons will honor Blohowiak.