MEQUON, Wis. – The Concordia Wisconsin women's hockey team opened its home schedule in thrilling fashion on Friday night, rallying past St. Norbert for a 3-2 victory at the Ozaukee Ice Center. The Falcons used three second-period goals, including two from senior Mackaylan McGown (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.), to secure the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) victory. The win improves the Falcons to 2-1-2 overall and 1-1-1 in NCHA play.
The Green Knights struck first just 2:08 into the contest when Isabella Hamel found the back of the net to give St. Norbert an early 1-0 advantage.
The Falcons continued to battle throughout the opening period but were unable to break through, entering the first intermission trailing by one goal.
The Blue and White wasted little time responding in the second period. Just 26 seconds into the frame, McGown tipped the puck into the net from the crease off passes from sophomore Abby Hansberger (Elk River, Minn.) and junior Scout Stromberg (Tomahawk, Wis.) to even the score at 1-1.
The Falcons continued to build momentum and took advantage of a power-play opportunity at the 7:34 mark. Hansberger collected a rebound off a shot and buried the puck to give Concordia its first lead of the evening. McGown and freshman Vivienne Marcowka (Warroad, Minn.) collected assists on the goal.
St. Norbert refused to go away and tied the contest at 2-2 with 8:26 remaining in the second period. Hannah Grabianowski capitalized on a two-on-one opportunity to bring the Green Knights back even.
The Falcons answered just 1:23 later with another power-play goal. A beautiful tic-tac-toe passing sequence between Hansberger, Stromberg and McGown ended with McGown finding the back of the net for her second goal of the evening. The goal at 12:57 proved to be the game-winner and gave Concordia a 3-2 advantage heading into the final period.
The Blue and White defense stood tall in the third period, holding St. Norbert scoreless despite a pair of power-play opportunities. The Falcons also continued to apply offensive pressure, firing 12 shots on goal in the final frame.
St. Norbert pulled its goaltender late in regulation in search of the equalizer, but the Falcons held strong to preserve the one-goal victory.
McGown led the offensive charge with two goals and an assist for a three-point evening. She also dominated in the faceoff circle, winning 19 of her 25 draws for an impressive 76 percent success rate. The Falcons controlled the faceoff circle throughout the contest, winning 32 of 50 draws for a 64 percent success rate.
Hansberger matched McGown with three points, recording a goal and two assists. Stromberg added two assists, while Marcowka chipped in an assist.
The Falcons finished with a 33-24 advantage in shots and converted on two of their four power-play opportunities.
Senior Carolyn Bourgeault (Buffalo, N.Y.) picked up the victory between the pipes, turning away 22 shots, including all six she faced in the third period.
The Falcons close the weekend NCHA series against St. Norbert on Saturday in De Pere, Wis.
