The Concordia Cardinals women's hockey team played host to the Grand Valley State Lakers on Friday night at the Arctic Coliseum in Chelsea, MI. The Cardinals mounted a comeback and forced the game into overtime, but they ultimately fell in defeat early in the extra frame by the score of 4-3.
The first period was filled with scoring from both sides. The Lakers got on the scoreboard early in the contest with a goal from Sarah Staby with an assist from Anna Braschwitz. The score would remain 1-0 for almost 10 minutes until the Lakers struck again with a goal off the stick of Maya Ortiz, which was assisted by Angie Schulz.
Less than a minute after the 2 goal advantage was gained, the Cardinals cut the lead in half with a goal from Makayla Steinmetz, who was assisted by Sara Kaczmarek, leading to a score of 2-1 at the end of the first period.
The second period would be much slower in action. Only one goal would be scored and it would be off the stick of Abbey McCallion for the Lakers. The goal would be assisted by Ortiz and Melanie Scram and would lead Grand Valley State to a 3-1 lead to close out the second period.
Concordia wasn't in sync offensively for much of the game, but the third period proved to be a big turning point in the match. The Cardinals would snag their second goal of the game on a power play opportunity that was cashed in by Grace Dodgson, the team leader in goals on the season, and was helped out by Mallory Collins.
The equalizing goal would come with just under 6 minutes to go in regulation. Kaczmarek picked up her second assist of the night while Emma Shore was the one who put the puck in the net. The Cardinals would hold off a late power play opportunity from the Lakers that would keep the momentum with Concordia going into overtime.
Not long after overtime started, the fate of the game was sealed. 21 seconds after the extra period started Marlee Sprott would put an unassisted shot into the top corner of the net. This goal would end the game and a valiant comeback effort put on display by the Cardinals, even after going 5 for 5 on power play kills for the game. The Lakers would kill 2 out of 3 power play chances throughout the game.
Sammy Schulz would get the credit for the win, saving 26 of 29 shots on the night. Molly Burks was under duress for most of the game and would save 38 of 42 shots, but she was ultimately slated with the loss.
The women's hockey team will look to get back into the win column tonight against the Lakers at Griff's Georgetown in Hudsonville, MI at 5:00 pm.
