2022-23 Moments of the Year (No. 4): Men’s ACHA Hockey Punch Their Ticket to Nationals
MEQUON, Wis. – The 2022-23 athletic year was another successful one for the Concordia Wisconsin Athletic Department. The Falcons won and contended for conference championships in many sports and put together an impressive list of great achievements. As in years past, the Department of Athletic Communications tries to sort through all the great moments and give you, the fans, top stories from the past year.
The list of stories was compiled by the Department of Athletic Communications and, like all lists, is subject to debate. The top stories will be revealed over the next few days, with stories being released on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. The top story will be released on August 4.
The CUW ACHA hockey team clinched a spot in the 2023 Division II National Tournament with a thrilling 4-3 overtime win against Minnesota on Feb. 26.
Falcons struck first in the matchup, scoring their first goal 44 seconds into the game off the stick of senior Lucas Kreuser (Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.) off of the pass from fellow senior Sam Weiss (Glen Ellyn, Ill.).
After the first period, Falcons enjoyed a 1-0 lead.
Minnesota responded in the second period with two goals while also holding the Falcons scoreless, taking the 2-1 lead heading into the last period of regulation.
Two minutes into the third period, Sophomore Garrett Wilderman (Waukesha, Wis.) netted the equalizing goal off of a pass from Scott Gregor (Ashland, Wis.).
Halfway through the period, Minnesota retook the lead with a goal.
With the score 3-2 in Minnesota's favor, the Falcons rallied and scored with 57 seconds remaining in the third period to send the game into overtime courtesy of a goal by Rex Staudacher (Yorkville, Ill.) and an assist from senior Alex Way (Ottawa, Ont.).
In overtime, senior Jacob Palmerio (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.) netted the biggest goal of the season to lift the Falcons past the Gophers, 4-3.
Senior Mack Willy (Tacoma, Wash.) recorded 28 saves in the contest.
With the win, CUW punched their ticket to the Division II National Tournament for the second time in program history, joining the 2021 team.
2022-23 CUW Athletics Stories of the Year
No. 10: Falcons Hockey Sweeps Marian on Mental Awareness Weekend
No. 9: Women's Basketball Beats Lakeland at the Buzzer in NACC Quarterfinals
No. 8: Women's Volleyball Clinches NACC Regular Season Title
No. 7: Men's Soccer Claims NACC Crown
No. 6: Women's Soccer Reclaims the NACC Crown
No. 5: Women's Tennis Takes Both NACC Titles
No. 4: Men's ACHA Hockey Punch Their Ticket to Nationals
No. 3: August 3
No. 2: August 4
No. 1: August 4
