Heckendorf leads way in Women's Hockey Senior Day victory

MEQUON, Wis. – It was a day of celebration at the Ozaukee Ice Center as the Concordia University Wisconsin Women's Hockey team honored the careers of six seniors in a 4-1 win over Finlandia University.

Senior Emily Heckendorf (Merrill, Wis.) did what she does best in her Ozaukee Ice Center finale and that is score goals. Heckendorf had two goals, marking the seventh time in her career she has accomplished that feat, more than any other play in CUW Women's Hockey history.

It was Heckendorf's line that did the damage for the Falcons on Saturday, contributing on all four goals. Sophomore Veronika Metanova (Palatine, Ill.) set a new program record with four assists in the game, while junior Alexis Machuga (Rochester Hills, Mich.) finished with three points, giving her five onver the last two games.

The Heckendorf-Metanova-Machuga line combined for 10 points and provided plenty of insurance for senior starting goaltender Andrea Mizanskey (Palos Heights, Ill.) Mizanskey made 18 saves before paving way for senior Jennifer DeGeorge (Waukesha, Wis.) to get in for the final 1:15 of the game. DeGeorge has been battling injury all season and the sendoff over the final 1:15 was an excellent way to put the finishing touches on an impressive career.

After a scoreless first period, junior Chelsea Regan (Oakdale, Minn.) put the Falcons up 1-0 24 seconds into the second with her second goal in as many games. Regan's score was the first of Metanova's four assists.

Finlandia would even things up at the 2:59 mark of the second when Sara Martin scored, but the Falcons made sure they took a lead into the second intermission as Heckendorf netted a goal with 5:03 remaining in the period. Both Machuga and Metanova assisted on the score, as all three players had points on the final three goals.

In the third it was Machuga who made the score 3-1 off assists from Heckendorf and Metanova. Heckendorf then put the Lions away, scoring with 1:15 remaining. The final goal was also assisted by Metanova and Machuga.

The other Seniors who were honored on Saturday were captain Elizabeth Otto (Stillwater, Minn.), assistant captain Sammi Reiter (Stillwater, Minn.) and Ashley Christy (Mountain Iron, Minn.). The six seniors have helped the Falcons reach new heights this season as CUW is seemingly playing its best hockey at the right moment of the year.

Saturday's contest saw the two teams combine for just 12 penalty minutes, with the Falcons being whistled twice for four minutes. Neither team had a power play goal, CUW going 0-for-4.

The Falcons are back in action next weekend when they visit Marian University for a weekend series. The series is set to begin Friday night at 7 p.m. in Fond du Lac.