MEQUON, Wis. - Friday night saw the Concordia University Wisconsin women's ice hockey team fall in overtime to the Aurora Spartans, with the final score 3-2.
With the loss, the Falcons now stand at 13-5-0 overall and 8-3-0 in Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) play.
The Falcons struck first in the opening period when senior Olivia Kurtz (Plainfield, Ill.) scored an even-strength goal. The play was set up by freshman Sophia Whiteaker (Normal, Ill.), who slid the puck to fellow freshman Taylor Heleniak (Mercer, Wis.). Heleniak then found Kurtz near the crease, where she batted the puck in to give CUW a 1-0 lead with 9:14 remaining in the first period.
The second period was a goaltending duel, as neither team was able to find the back of the net. Falcons' goaltender Kami McCardle (Jackson, Wis.) stood tall, recording a game-high 13 saves in the period alone.
In the third period, the Falcons added to their lead when junior Natalie Mackrell (Florissant, Colo.) scored her sixth goal of the season. The play was sparked by tight defensive work from sophomore Brenna-Grace Dittmer (Chatham-Kent, Ont.), who forced a turnover behind the CUW net. Whiteaker picked up the loose puck and fed Mackrell up the ice. As Mackrell advanced, she lifted a shot past the Aurora goaltender's right shoulder, putting the Falcons up 2-0 with 13:01 remaining in regulation.
However, the Spartans quickly answered, scoring just 1:40 later to cut the CUW lead to 2-1. Aurora then tied the game with 5:23 left in the third, forcing the contest into overtime.
In the extra period, the Falcons had several scoring chances but couldn't capitalize. After a key defensive stand and a cleared puck, Aurora broke free on a breakaway and scored 1:30 into overtime, sealing the 3-2 win and earning two points in the conference standings.
Senior Amanda Bauer (Waunakee, Wis.) led the team with eight shots in the loss, while sophomore Ava Litkey (Kenosha, Wis.) registered three blocked shots.
McCardle finished with 31 saves and dropped to 7-4-0 on the season.
The Falcons will look to bounce back in their rematch with the Spartans, this time on Aurora's home ice.
