Women's Hockey ties program goals record in season-opening victory

HANCOCK, Mich. – Offensive struggles were a main theme for the Concordia University Wisconsin Women's Hockey team last season. If the season opener is any indication, the Falcons will be much improved at putting the puck in the net this winter as they scored eight times in an 8-2 Northern Collegiate Hockey Association victory over Finlandia University Friday night.

The eight goals tied a program record as it was the third time CUW has scored that many in a contest. Sophomore Chelsea Regan (Oakdale, Minn.) tallied a career-high three points (1G, 2A), while four players scored their first career goal for the Falcons. Three of the four were freshmen, including Nicole Krumwiede (Itasca, Ill.) who lit the lamp twice on Friday night.

The Falcons were scoring early and often as junior Emily Heckendorf (Merrill, Wis.) beat the goalie just 25 seconds into play. Junior Elizabeth Otto (Stillwater, Minn.) gained an assist on the opening goal. CUW would add two more scores in the first period as sophomore Nina Puch (Des Plaines, Ill.) and Krumwiede each scored for the first time in their collegiate careers. Regan recorded assists on both goals, while freshman Francesca Principe (Lemont, Ill.) assisted on the Krumwiede tally.

Finlandia (0-1-0, 0-1-0 NCHA) outscored the Falcons in the second period, 2-1, cutting the lead to 4-2 after the second stanza. Sophomore Alexis Machuga (Rochester Hills, Mich.) put CUW up 4-0 on an assist from Heckendorf but the Lions responded with two unanswered goals.

The third and final period was all CUW, resulting in four scores for an 8-2 final. Freshman Baylee Darling (Holmen, Wis.) recorded a power-play goal for her first career score at the 1:51 mark. Assisting on the Darling goal were freshmen Veronika Metanova (Palatine, Ill.) and Brandi Muller (Anchorage, Alaska). Krumwiede then added her second goal of the night, while Muller and Regan added the final two scores. Sophomore Jayda Hoerres (Melrose, Wis.) earned her first point of 2013-14 on the Regan goal.

CUW finished the night with 43 shots on goal compared to just 21 for the Lions. Junior goalie Jennifer DeGeorge (Waukesha, Wis.) picked up the win for the Falcons between the pipes, recording 19 saves. The Falcons got to FU starting goalkeeper Breanna Hynes early, scoring three times on the starter, resulting in a goalie change in the opening period.

The win marked the third time CUW has begun a season 1-0, having also started with a victory in 2009-10 and 2011-12. The Falcons have now won 12 straight over Finlandia.

CUW (1-0-0, 1-0-0 NCHA) and Finlandia will meet again tomorrow at the Houghton County Arena. Puck drop is set for 1:00 p.m. central time and live video will be available courtesy of Finlandia. The link for the video can be found at CUWFalcons.com.