MEQUON, Wis. – The Concordia University Wisconsin women's ice hockey team capped off their regular season at the Ozaukee Ice Center with an impressive 7-0 victory over the Marian Sabres. With the win, the Falcons improved to 17-6-1 overall and 12-4-1 in Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) play.
The Falcons also set a new program milestone, finishing their home regular season with a 10-3-0 record, the best in program history. It marks the first time in school history the women's hockey team has secured double-digit wins at the Ozaukee Ice Center.
The Falcons wasted no time getting on the board, scoring four goals in the opening period.
At 13:08, senior Amanda Bauer (Waunakee, Wis.) scored near the crease on a power play, assisted by sophomore Mackaylan McGown (Inver Grove, Minn.), who had received the puck from senior Brooke Gibson (LaSalle, Ont.). The goal put the Falcons up 1-0, and with the assist, Gibson notched her 33rd point of the season, breaking the previous single-season record of 32 points.
Less than five minutes later, McGown joined the scoring column with a goal, assisted by junior Makayla Spejcher (Green Bay, Wis.) and Bauer to extend the lead to 2-0.
At the 5:42 mark, McGown struck again, recording her second goal of the game. Bauer earned another assist, while senior Olivia Kurtz (Plainfield, Ill.) contributed the secondary assist after forcing a turnover and feeding the puck behind the net to Bauer.
Exactly one minute later, senior Natalie Mackrell (Florissant, Colo.) scored on a breakaway. The goal came after sharp passing from Gibson to Spejcher, who set up Mackrell's tally, the Falcons' fourth goal of the period.
Gibson's second assist of the night pushed her season total to 20, breaking the program's record for assists in a single season, previously set at 19.
In the opening frame, CUW's defense was dominant, allowing just three shots on goal and holding a commanding 4-0 lead.
The Falcons kept the pressure on in the second period. At the 13:33 mark, freshman Gabby Cicirello (Mequon, Wis.) stole the puck in the defensive zone and set up McGown, who quickly passed it to Bauer. Bauer then skated across the ice and fired a shot past the Marian goalie, securing a 5-0 advantage.
CUW's defense remained solid, killing off two Marian power plays and maintaining a shutout.
In the third period, the Falcons added two more goals to seal the 7-0 win. Just 1:05 into the final frame, McGown completed her first career hattrick. Sophomore Naomi Black (Ottawa, Ont.) initiated the play with a strong pass across the ice to Bauer, who then fed McGown for the quick finish.
Less than three minutes later, sophomore Brenna-Grace Dittmer (Chatham-Kent, Ont.) stole the puck in her own end and skated coast-to-coast, scoring CUW's seventh and final goal of the game.
In goal, Kami McCardle turned in a stellar performance, making 18 saves to improve to 9-5-0 on the season and record her fourth shutout.
On the defensive side, sophomore Ava Litkey (Kenosha, Wis.) led the team with two blocked shots.
In the faceoff circle, freshmen Kayla Gomes (Harrow, Ont.) and Sophia Whiteaker (Normal, Ill.), along with McGown, each won six faceoffs to lead the team.
Offensively, CUW was dominant, outshooting Marian 50-18. McGown led the way with a team-high 10 shots, while both she and Bauer finished with five points. McGown's five-point performance marked a career-best, surpassing her previous high of three points, while Bauer's five points tied her career-high set against Marian on November 18, 2022.
Bauer also netted the game-winning goal, her second of the season and first since November 23 against Lake Forest.
Together, Bauer and McGown either scored or assisted on five of CUW's seven goals.
Looking ahead, the Falcons will aim to finish the regular season strong and complete the sweep of the Sabres tomorrow in Fond du Lac before preparing to host the opening round of the NCHA Slaats Cup Quarterfinals on February 21st and 22nd.
