(Chelsea, MI) Concordia woman's hockey team took on the Michigan Wolverines in a back and forth battle, eventually losing by the score of 9-4.
The Cardinals came out strong on Saturday night as they looked to avenge last week's loss to Michigan. Just 16 seconds into the game, Grace Dodgson tipped a shot from Mackenzie Smith passed the goalie for an early 1-0 lead. Kassidy Scheben also picked up an assist. The scoring wouldn't stop, as Grace Dodgson took a breakout pass from Aaliyah James, split the defense for a breakaway, and beat the Wolverine goaltender on her backhand to double the lead with 5:38 remaining in the frame. Michigan would strike back with one of their own late in the period, but Concordia led 2-1 after a period of play.
CUAA got out to another quick start in the second, as Sydney Schuyler fired home a loose puck just over a minute into the period to extend the Cardinal lead back to two. Dodgson and Scheben both picked up assists on the score. Michigan would strike back with three goals across the length of the period to overtake the lead, but Kassidy Scheben would provide one last answer before the frame ended. Taking a pass from Mackenzie Smith in their own zone, Scheben skated around a few defenders, went on a 2-on-1, and beat the goaltender with a shot to the low blocker side to tie the game back up at 4. The Cards would score again from the neutral zone, but the goal would be disallowed due to offsides and the game went to the second intermission knotted at 4.
The Wolverines came out blazing in the third, scoring two quick ones and chasing starting Cardinals goaltender Molly Burks (26 Saves, 6 GA) from the net. Michigan jumped on replacement goalie Lizzy Knappenberger, scoring three more in the period to eventually take home a 9-4 victory.
Dodgson's goal 16 seconds into the first was the fastest in Concordia women's hockey history. The Cardinals will have the week of Thanksgiving off before being back in action next Thursday, December 2nd, when they hit the road to face off with UM-Dearborn. Puck drop is set for 7pm at UM-Dearborn Ice Arena.
