Special Teams Tumble

RIVER FALLS, Wis. (1/06/17)---Concordia was whistled for seven penalties and allowed two power play goals against No.3-ranked Wis.-River Falls and lost 4-2.

Special teams proved to be the difference in the Cobbers' first loss in four games. Concordia, the nation's top power play team, went 0-for-4 on the power play and allowed the nationally-ranked Falcons to score twice on the man advantage.

Concordia is now 8-3-1 on the season while River Falls wins for the sixth straight game and improves to 11-1-0.

In addition to the special teams difference, a span of 3:10 towards the end of the end of the first period proved to be decisive point in the game.

The Cobbers held a 1-0 lead midway through the opening frame after the first of two goals by senior Jess Nelson. The Falcons won the game by scoring three goals starting at 12:43. UWRF tied the game on the power play and then took the lead 1:56 later with an even-strength goal. The Falcons added a third goal at 15:53 and took a 3-1 lead into the first break.

The second period was a more defensive affair. The teams combined for only 12 shots on goal in the 20 minutes of play. Concordia netted the only goal of the period when Nelson knocked home her second goal of the game with assists from Amber Schaack and Ellen Rethwisch. It was Schaack's second assist of the game.

River Falls added an insurance goal in the sixth minute of the third period and once again it came on the power play.

The Cobbers slowed their chance for getting back in the game by taking five penalties in the final period of play. The final blow came with 1:52 to play when CC was whistled for having too many players on the ice.

The Falcons outshot the Cobbers 33-18 in the game. Nelson and Amber Schaack led CC with four shots each and Tori Davis added three.

Concordia goalie Andrea Klug made 29 saves.

STREAK SNAPPER: Jess Nelson scored a goal in each of the Cobbers' first five games of the year. She was then held off the goal sheet for six games before putting a pair of nuggets on Friday.

CAREER YEAR: Nelson now has a team-leading eight goals. Her eight goals is as many as she posted in her sophomore and junior seasons combined. Nelson had nine total goals entering the season and is now third in the MIAC in goals. She also has 13 points which is third in the conference.

WHOLE LOTTA HELPERS: Amber Schaack registered her first multiple-assist game of the season. She had two helpers against River Falls and now has a team-leading seven dimes on the season. Schaack is tied for fourth in the conference.   

WHAT'S NEXT: Concordia will finish off its two-game series with No.3-ranked River Falls on Saturday, Jan. 7 at 2:05 p.m. The Cobbers are 3-1-1 in games played on Saturday this year.