DULUTH, Minn. – Since the calendar turned to 2015, the Concordia University Wisconsin Women's Hockey team has played in mostly close contests. The Falcons past seven games have been decided by one goal or less, with two of those ending in a tie. Saturday's matchup against St. Scholastica was one of those ties, as the Falcons and Saints drew even at 2-2 in NCHA play.
Sophomore Baylee Darling (Holmen, Wis.) scored 8:27 into the third period Saturday, evening the score at 2-2, which would end up being the final. Darling's unassisted goal was the only score for either team in the third period as the Saints held a 2-1 lead heading into the final stanza.
The host Saints used an advantage on the power play to gain the tie. CSS was 2-for-4 with an extra skater, including Zahn Thompson's power play goal 4:47 into play, giving her team a 1-0 lead. Thompson's goal was assisted by Kelly Ahlgren and Amanda Broman.
The Falcons would answer back quickly, scoring 1:34 later on a tally by freshman Lexi Holman (Cold Spring, Minn.). Junior Alexis Machuga (Rochester Hills, Mich.) picked up a helper on the Holman goal, bringing her season total to a team-best 10 assists.
The Saints would add their second power play score at the 7:29 mark of the second period when Kaitlin Johnston lit the lamp, making the score 2-1. That lead would hold until Darling tied the score at 2-2, but goaltenders Andrea Mizanskey (Palos Heights, Ill.) and Lindsey Hartfield would take over the rest of the way, not allowing another goal in.
Shots were hard to come by Saturday afternoon as the two teams combined for just 44 shots. Mizanske finished the game with 21 saves, including nine over the final 25 minutes of play. Hartfiel finished the contest with 19 saves. CUW finished the game with four penalties for eight minutes in the box, while the Saints spent six minutes in the box with three infractions.
The Falcons will return to action next Friday night when they host St. Norbert College in an NCHA game. Puck is set to drop at 7 p.m. at the Ozaukee Ice Center.
