Concordia University Wisconsin

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Concordia University Wisconsin women's ice hockey team (1-0) opened its 2026-27 campaign with a 2-1 victory over the Bethel Royals (0-1) Friday night on the road.

Neither side found the back of the net in the first period, as the Falcons put 11 of their 15 shots on goal. Junior goalkeeper Gretchen Paaverud (Ramsey, Minn.) recorded 16 saves in the opening frame.

In the second period, senior Chanler Taylor (Bloomington, Ill.) netted her first goal of the season on the power play at 16:23, converting a pass from junior Taylor Heleniak (Mercer, Wis.) to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead.

Concordia Wisconsin took that lead into the locker room, outshooting Bethel 27-16 in the second period. 

In the third period, the Royals found the back of the net at 4:16 to even the score at one.

However, the Falcons responded at the 11:15 mark, as Heleniak fired one into the back of the net to give her team a 2-1 advantage..

CUW held off Bethel in the remaining minutes to secure its first win of the season. 

The Falcons put 33 of their 56 shots on goal in the game. Heleniak posted one goal and one assist to earn two points in the victory. Paaverud earned 32 saves with a .970 save percentage. Senior Mackaylan McGown (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) won nine of her 16 faceoffs.

The Falcons will face the Royals again on Saturday at 2 p.m. CST.