CUW women win NCHA Opener 7-1
*For audio highlights from Wednesday's game click here: http://cuwfalcons.athleticsite.net/game.mp3
Ozaukee Ice Center
It was a record setting Wednesday night at the Ozaukee County Ice Center, as the Concordia women's hockey team set and/or tied three school records while breaking into the win column with a convincing 7-1 victory over Marian.
Right off the opening faceoff, the Falcons scored the fastest goal in program history when Sarah Luberda found Samantha Meuwissen just 15 seconds in. Then before a majority of the fans had even found their seats in the stands, CUW lit the lamp for a second time when Luberda scored on the breakaway.
Luberda set the school record for points in a game, tallying five points off two goals and three assists. The senior center had a part in each of the first five Concordia goals and assisted on both of Meuwissen scores. The previous school record for points in a game was also set by Luberda, who notched four points on two goals and two assists on November 1st, 2009, at Buffalo State.
Trailing 2-0, the Sabres made things interesting when they scored their first power play goal of the season off a rebound put back by Kelan Schmitt. Schmitt's goal was the first allowed by the Falcons all-time in three meetings versus Marian, but it would be a short lived celebration for the second year program.
Just five seconds after seeing their lead cut in half, Meuwissen put Concordia back in front by two off assists from Luberda and Hilary Christiansen.
Up 3-1 after one period, the Falcons added two more goals in both the second and third periods to improve to 3-0 all-time against the Sabres.
Hilary Christiansen, Luberda, Maxine Blohowiak (her first collegiate point) and MacKenzie Siemans (her first collegiate point) scored the remaining CUW goals, while Sara Cole, Meuwissen and Alyssa Isaackson (2) were credited with assists.
Goaltender Lea Jondal improved to 1-2-0 on the season, making 14 saves and allowing one goal in 60 minutes between the pipes.
Running their record to 1-3-0 overall and 1-0-0 in this their Northern Collegiate Hockey Association opener, the Falcons also tied the school record for goals in a game - having scored seven goals in a game on four occasions (including twice against Marian).
Concordia concludes their season opening six-game homestand this weekend, entertaining UW-River Falls (ranked sixth in the nation) on Friday (7:30pm) and Saturday (2pm).
*Note: Luberda's performance ranks tied for third all-time in the NCHA. For more information on her historic night, visit: http://www.nchahockey.org/1011/headlines1011.html#luberda
