Women's Hockey, St. Scholastica play to 3-3 tie in weekend series finale

MEQUON, Wis. – Following two third period goals, the second of those coming with under 10 minutes remaining in regulation, it appeared the Concordia University Wisconsin Women's Hockey team was going to pick up a win Saturday at the Ozaukee Ice Center. St. Scholastica had other ideas as they scored two goals over the final 10 minutes, resulting in a 3-3 tie.

Entering the third period even at 1-1, the Falcons came out strong with a goal 2:20 into play. Freshman Baylee Darling (Holmen, Wis.) scored that Falcon goal which was assisted by a pair of freshmen, Brandi Muller (Anchorage, Alaska) and Brittany Sticha (Lonsdale, Minn.).

CUW would extend its lead to 3-1 at the 10:24 mark of the final period on a goal from sophomore Alexis Machuga (Rochester Hills, Mich.). Freshman Veronika Metanova (Palatine, Ill.) and sophomore Nina Puch (Des Plaines, Ill.), two players who each finished with two points Saturday, each assisted on the goal that gave the Falcons a 3-1 lead.

The Falcons had a chance to extend that lead as they had a 5-on-3 advantage for 55 seconds in the third period. CSS would kill off the 5-on-3 and then responded a shorthanded goal when the numbers turned to 5-on-4 off the stick of Briana Stephens. Stephens goal was assisted by Cara McCannis and made the score 3-2 with 6:20 remaining in regulation.

The Saints would go on to take advantage of a power play opportunity later in the final stanza as the Falcons were whistled for tripping with 3:45 remaining in the game. CSS would score just 10 seconds into the power play as Kaitlin Johnston scored her second goal of the contest. Both of Johnston's goals were on the power play, the first coming in the opening period which gave the Saints a 1-0 advantage.

CUW (6-11-1, 4-6-1 NCHA) got its first goal of the game when Puch scored 1:12 into the second period. Metanova threw a shot on net which was stopped by the Saints, but Puch crashed hard and was rewarded with the rebound goal that evened the score at 1-1.

Special teams proved to be a big advantage for St. Scholastica as they went 2-for-4 on the power play compared to a 0-for-4 showing by the Falcons. The Saints also had a shorthanded goal, scoring all three of their goals on special teams.

Junior Jennifer DeGeorge (Waukesha, Wis.) made 28 saves for CUW while playing all 65 minutes between the pipes. Her counterpart, Lindsey Hartfiel, stopped 33 shots as the Falcons outshot the Saints by, 36-31. The Falcons did an excellent job shutting down Isabel Waidacher, a player who ranks second in the nation in points, limiting her to zero points on Saturday.

CUW will return to action next Friday when they visit St. Norbert College for an NCHA game. Puck is set to drop at 7 p.m. between the Falcons and Green Knights.