Women’s Hockey Makes Program History with Win Over Dubuque

MEQUON, Wis. – On Friday night, the Concordia University Wisconsin women's ice hockey team secured their 10th victory of the season with a 3-0 win over the Dubuque Spartans, extending their historic winning streak to seven games—the longest in program history. This win also marked the Falcons' third consecutive shutout victory, another first in the program's history.

In addition to the shutout, the victory saw the Falcons set multiple records. With a 10-2-0 overall record, they clinched the most wins ever in a fall semester, and their 7-0-0 mark in Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) play remains perfect. At 6-1-0 on home ice at the Ozaukee Ice Center, the team has also reached double-digit wins faster than ever before, surpassing the 2022-23 season's pace, which saw the 10th win come on January 14, 2023. This is just the second time in program history the team has won 10 games in a semester, the first being in the 2021 winter term.

The Falcons wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, with senior Brooke Gibson (LaSalle, Ont.) scoring a breakaway goal just 67 seconds into the game, thanks to a perfect lead pass from junior Makayla Spejcher (Green Bay, Wis.), set up by a beautiful stretch pass from freshman Sydney Fegusson (Bancroft, Ont.). 

The score remained 1-0 after the first period, with senior goaltender Kami McCardle (Jackson, Wis.) making 10 saves.

In the second period, the Falcons dominated the shot count, outshooting Dubuque 22-7, but could not find the back of the net, maintaining their 1-0 lead heading into the final frame.

The Falcons doubled their lead early in the third period, when senior Megan Vettraino (Howell, Mich.) tapped in a loose rebound at the back post just 4:34 into the period, following a shot from freshman Kayla Gomes (Harrow, Ont.). This marked Vettraino's second consecutive game with a goal and Gomes' second straight game with an assist.

Concordia capped off the win with a power play goal midway through the third period. Sharp passing starting with Brooke Gibson found senior Amanda Bauer (Waunakee, Wis.) behind the net, who then fed Makayla Spejcher, stationed unmarked in front of the net. Spejcher lifted the puck past the Dubuque goaltender's shoulder for her ninth goal of the season, with Gibson earning her 10th assist and Bauer her fifth.

From there, the CUW defense held firm, denying Dubuque any quality scoring chances and securing the Falcons' 10th win of the year.

Gibson and Spejcher both finished with two points as they each tallied a goal and an assist. Gibson's goal marked her third game-winning goal of the season and 13th of her career. As a team, the Falcons outshot the Spartans 50-25 and dominated in the faceoff circle, winning 34 of 49 faceoffs, with sophomore Mackaylan McGown (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) going 19-of-22.

McCardle improved to 6-1-0 on the season with 25 saves, and the Falcons' penalty kill went a perfect four-for-four, continuing to stymie Dubuque's power play.

The Falcons will look to extend their historic winning streak on Saturday as they host the Spartans once again at home.