Posted: Apr 15, 2015

Women's Hockey celebrates 2014-15 at postseason banquet

MEQUON, Wis. – The Concordia University Wisconsin Women's Hockey team recently celebrated its 2014-15 season with a postseason banquet on Saturday, April 11.

The Falcons had a very impressive run in 2014-15, posting a 12-11-5 record, which was good for the second most wins in program history. CUW really made its run in the postseason, advancing to the NCHA Slaats Cup Finals for the first time in school history.

During the run in the Slaats Cup Playoffs, CUW won road contests at both St. Scholastica and against top-seeded Adrian. The Falcons were three seconds away from going to overtime against No. 2 Lake Forest in the Finals, but the Foresters scored in the final seconds for a 2-1 victory.

The Falcons also recognized their six seniors who played a big role a successful year. Those seniors were Ashley Christy, Jennifer DeGeorge, Emily Heckendorf, Andrea Mizanskey, Elizabeth Otto and Sammi Reiter.

Click here for the 2014-15 Women's Hockey Highlight Video

The Falcons handed out their 2014-15 team awards at the postseason banquet and the award winners were as follows:

Team MVP – Bridget Slater (sophomore – Roseau, Minn.) – Slater was one of the top goalies in the NCHA all season and finished the year with a .944 save percentage. She posted an 8-4-2 record and played her best during the playoffs, making 116 saves on 120 attempts during three postseason contests.

Offensive Player of the Year – Emily Heckendorf (senior – Merrill, Wis.) – Heckendorf was a First Team All-NCHA selection after setting the Falcons single season record for goals scored with 17. Heckendorf finished the year with 27 points and also netted her first career hat trick in a 4-3 win at Marian on February 13. Heckendorf also holds the career record for most multiple goal games with eight.

Defensive Player of the Year – The Falcons set a program record for fewest goals allowed this season with 63 and a big reason for that was the play of the blueliners. Senior Elizabeth Otto (Stillwater, Minn.) was the leader of that group and was named Defensive Player of the Year for CUW. The Falcons captain skated in 24 games and had six assists, but her impact on the ice was helping shut down the opponents, something Otto did all season.

Unsung Hero (Awarded to the player who made significant contributions to the success of the team but may not have necessarily received the credit they deserved in the public eye)– Alexis Machuga (junior - Rochester Hills, Mich.) recorded 23 points this season, while playing alongside Heckendorf and sophomore Veronika Metanova. Machuga was the top assist player for the Falcons, handing out 19 helpers. She played in all 28 games and added four goals.

Rookie of the Year – Lexi Holman (Cold Spring, Minn.) was named to the NCHA All-Rookie Team after scoring nine points in 28 games played. Holman scored six goals and added three assists in an impressive first season with CUW.

Iron Falcon (Awarded to the player who came in first for the Falcons strength and conditioning test at the start of the year) – Andrea Mizanskey (senior – Palos Heights, Ill.) was the other impressive goaltender the Falcons had in 2014-15. Mizanskey started 14 games and made 387 saves, while finishing with a .915 save percentage. She posted a 2.46 goals against average as she and Slater were a tremendous platoon at goaltender for the Falcons this past winter.

In addition to the awards handed out, the Falcons had several other impressive numbers in 2014-15. Here's a look at some of the records that fell and other impressive numbers that helped lead CUW to 12 victories and a spot in the Slaats Cup Finals.

Individual Records

Emily Heckendorf – 17 Goals (Most in a single season)
Emily Heckendorf – Four Game-Winning Goals (Tied for most in a season)
Bridget Slater – 32.21 Saves Per Game (Best in a season)
Bridget Slater – 1.98 Goals against Average (Best in a season)
Bridget Slater - .944 Save Percentage (Best in a season)
Bridget Slater – Two Shutouts (Tied for most in a season)
Alexis Machuga – Seventh most points in a season
Veronika Metanova – Ninth most points in a season
Alexis Machuga – Tied for second most assists in a season
Veronika Metanova – Tied for fifth most assists in a season
Andrea Mizanskey – Third best goals against average in a season
Andrea Mizanskey – Third best save percentage in a season

Team Records

.928 Save Percentage – Best in single season
2.22 Goals Against Average – Best in a season
Three shutouts – Most in a season
63 goals allowed – Fewest in a season
12 Wins – Second most in a season

Career Records

Emily Heckendorf – Third in points (72), Third in goals scored (34) and fourth in assists (36)
Bridget Slater is the current career leader in save percentage, and second in goals against average.