Heckendorf delivers late game-winner to lift Women's Hockey over Cobbers

MEQUON, Wis. – Senior Emily Heckendorf netted the second of her two goals with nine seconds remaining in regulation to lift the Concordia University Wisconsin Women's Hockey team to a 3-2 win over Concordia College Moorhead.

Heckendorf's goal came late in the third period, one that was dominated by the Cobbers. CCM held an 18-6 advantage and it appeared over the final five minutes that the game would either head to overtime or in a CCM win. However, Heckendorf got her opportunity late in regulation, lighting the lamp for the thrilling non-conference victory.

The senior from Merrill, Wis. had two goals in the win, her first coming at the 9:20 mark of the second period, which gave the Falcons a 2-0 lead at the time. That goal was scored just 17 seconds after junior Alexis Machuga (Rochester Hills, Mich.) put CUW up 1-0 on an unassisted score. Machuga finished the game with three points, assisting on each of Heckendorf's goal.

It was the line of Heckendorf-Machuga and sophomore Veronika Metanova (Palatine, Ill.) that provided the Falcons offensive production Saturday. Metanova added an assist on the game-winner. Those three provided all the offense sophomore goaltender Bridget Slater needed. Slater (Roseau, Minn.) recorded 37 saves, including 17 over the final period, many of those keeping the score tied at 2-2.

For the second straight day the two teams couldn't muster up much offense in the opening stanza, playing to a scoreless tie after 20 minutes. After the Falcons two goals within 17 seconds of one another made the score 2-0, CCM would cut the lead to 2-1 on a Jessica Kongelf goal with 3:16 to play in the second period.

The Cobbers (3-8-0) would tie the game at 2-2 on a power play goal scored by Ellen Rethwisch 9:35 into the third period. CCM finished the game 1-for-5 on the power play, while the Falcons were turned away on their only special teams advantage.

The Cobbers finished the game with a 39-22 edge in shots, including an 18-6 edge in the final period. Slater had double-digit saves in both the first (11) and third (17) periods, while adding nine saves in the second. Andrea Klug finished with 19 saves for CCM.

CUW (6-5-1) will be back in action next weekend, hosting St. Catherine University in a non-conference series at the Ozaukee Ice Center. Game one is set for Friday night at 7 p.m. with live coverage being provided by CUWFalcons.com.