(Chelsea, MI) - The Concordia Cardinals Women's Hockey team opened up the 2022-23 season on Saturday night as they would go up against the Penn State Ice Lions. This game would open up the Central Collegiate Women's Hockey Association (CCWHA) season for both teams.
The Cardinals would come away with a close-fought 4-2 win over the Ice Lions. This win would mark the second straight season the Cardinals won their season opener as they beat Grand Valley last season 3-2 in overtime.
1st Period - CUAA 2, PSU 0
Both teams started off getting shots on the offensive end as 4 shots were recorded within the first four minutes, with two by each team. Five minutes into the first period the Cardinals would draw their first penalty of the match as Isabella Salunio earned two minutes in the box for interference. During the CUAA power play the Cards would get off two shots before Salunio came back onto the ice. Three minutes later the Cardinals would have another power play opportunity but would once again not be able to put one in the back of the net.
The Cardinals though would get a third opportunity to take advantage of a Penn State penalty as Kassidy Scheben would score the first Cardinal goal of the season with a shot from the right side, as Makayla Steinmetz and Grace Dodgson would both earn assists. With less than a minute remaining in the period the Cardinals would tally their second goal off the stick of Emma Shore, with the assist going to Mallory Collins.
2nd Period - CUAA 2, PSU 2
Just as the Cards scored with seconds left in the first period the Ice Lions would strike back within a goal 55 seconds into the period. The Cardinal offense although getting a lot of shots on goal would not be able to tally a goal in the second period. Ending the period the same way they began it though would be Penn State as they would tally a goal with 46 seconds remaining in the period.
3rd Period - CUAA 4, PSU 2
The Cardinals would once again get a power play opportunity, their fifth of the game, but would not be able to record a goal despite multiple shots. Following the Penn State's player returning to the ice Reagan Tolley would be able to record her first goal of the season as she took a rebound shot from Dakota Harmon to give the Cardinals the lead. Six minutes later the final goal of the game came off the stick of freshman Makayla Steinmetz as she got passes from Mallory Collins and Kassidy Scheben for the first goal of her CUAA career.
The Ice Lions would attempt to get back at least one goal as they pulled their goalie with about a minute left and had a 6-on-4 advantage due to the Cardinal penalty, but a combination of the defense and Amanda Crundwell would mute the attempt.
In goal for the Cardinals and playing the full 60 minutes was Amanda Crundwell. On the 25 shots that she faced she would only give up two goals and made 23 saves.
The Cardinals are back in action once again at home as they go up against the same Penn State team tomorrow at the Arctic Coliseum with a 2 PM puck drop.
