Women's Hockey skates to 1-1 tie in non-conference play at Augsburg

MINNEAPOLIS – The Concordia University Wisconsin Women's Hockey team continued its run of strong defense as they skated to a tie against Augsburg College Friday night. The Falcons and Auggies each scored once in the 1-1 non-conference tie.

Senior goaltender Andrea Mizanskey (Palos Heights, Ill.) made 23 saves in leading the Falcons. The tie put CUW at 2-0-1, keeping them unbeaten this season as they aim for the best start in school history.

CUW built a 1-0 lead Friday in the opening period on a goal by sophomore Veronika Metanova (Palatine, Ill.). Metanova struck with 1:35 remaining in the first period on a goal assisted by senior Emily Heckendorf (Merrill, Wis.) and junior Alexis Machuga (Rochester Hills, Mich.). Heckendorf's assist was her fourth point of the season as she leads the Falcons in that statistical category.

The Falcons would hold the 1-0 lead until the third period when Augsburg pulled even at the 6:22 mark. Kayla Fuechtmann netted the Auggies goal, which was unassisted, to bring the score to 1-1.

The rest of the evening was about defense as the two goaltenders held strong, resulting in the tie. Mizanskey stopped seven shots in each of the first three periods and added two in the overtime session, bringing her record to 1-0-1 on the season. Her counterpart, Erika Allen, made 30 saves for the Auggies.

Neither team could gain an advantage in the special teams as the Falcons and Auggies combined to go 0-for-9 on the power play. CUW had six chances with the extra skater, continuing its woes in that area. The Falcons are now 1-for-17 (5.9 percent) on the power play this season. Augsburg also had three chances with an advantage, but the Falcons continued their excellence in the penalty kill.

Metanova paced the Falcons attack with four shots on goal, while Machuga, sophomore Brandi Muller (Anchorage, Alaska) and juniors Chelsea Regan (Oakdale, Minn.) and Jayda Hoerres (Melrose, Wis.) each totaled three shots. Metanova was also excellent on faceoffs, winning 18-of-27 attempts.

The Falcons and Auggies will complete the non-conference series tomorrow afternoon. Puck drop is set for 2 p.m. with live stats being provided by Augsburg.