MEQUON, Wis. – For the first eight minutes of action Saturday, the Concordia University Wisconsin Women's Hockey team struggled to get anything going offensively. The Falcons didn't have a shot and trailed 1-0 against Hamline University. Fortunately, the Falcons figured things out with three first-period goals from that point on, gaining a 3-2 win over the Pipers at the Ozaukee Ice Center.

THE BASICS

- Final Score: Concordia Wisconsin 3, Hamline 2
- Location: Ozaukee Ice Center – Mequon, Wis.
- Records: Concordia Wisconain 1-0-1, Hamline 0-1-1

HOW IT HAPPENED

- After falling behind 1-0, the Falcons scored on their first two shots of the game, one each from juniors Brandi Muller (Anchorage, Alaska) and Veronika Metanova (Palatine, Ill.). The goals, scored 13 seconds apart from one another, gave CUW a 2-1 advantage. Junior Brittany Sticha (Lonsdale, Minn.) and senior Katherine Pauletti (Roseville, Minn.) assisted on the Muller score, while senior Lexi Machuga (Rochester Hills, Mich.) aided the Metanova goal.

- Hamline built a 1-0 lead in the matchup on a goal scored by Megan Lawry 5:10 into play.

- The Falcons would take a 3-1 lead into the first intermission thanks to a power play snipe from senior Jayda Hoerres (Melrose, Wis.). The final goal of the first period was scored with 33 seconds remaining and was assisted by sophomore Lexi Holman (Sauk Rapids, Minn.) and senior Chelsea Regan (Oakdale, Minn.).

- There would be no more scoring until the Pipers gained an extra-attacker score with seven seconds remaining on a score by Jessica Goldberg. Hamline had its goaltender pulled for the final 1:55 of regulation, but the Falcons couldn't capitalize with an empty net goal.

- CUW had a big advantage in special teams, scoring on its only power play attempt of the game, while holding the Pipers scoreless in six power play tries.

- Freshman Christina Pattengale (Portage, Mich.) had a strong debut for the Falcons, making 28 saves for her first collegiate win. She had 11 saves in the first period and 10 more in a perfect second stanza.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

- The game-winning goal for Hoerres was the first of the career for the senior defender. She now has two career goals, the other coming last season.

- Dating back to the end of last season, 16 of the Falcons past 19 games have been decided by either one goal or have finished tied.

UP NEXT

- The Falcons will open up NCHA play Tuesday with a road trip to face league foe St. Norbert. Puck drop from De Pere is set for 7:30 p.m.