Cobbers Fall Late to Saint Benedict, 3-1

MOORHEAD, Minn. (2/20/26) — Concordia battled for 60 minutes but fell 3-1 to College of Saint Benedict on Friday afternoon at the Moorhead Sports Center.

The Cobbers controlled the opening faceoff and generated early pressure, highlighted by a power-play opportunity midway through the first period after Saint Benedict was whistled for tripping at 17:47. Concordia fired four shots during the advantage but was unable to find the equalizer.

Saint Benedict broke through at the 13:40 mark when Shae Stinnett capitalized on a scramble in front, finishing from the top of the crease off an assist from Ella Tuccitto to give the visitors a 1-0 edge.

Following the goal, the Bennies applied steady offensive zone pressure with a flurry of chances in front of Hailee Bailey, but the Cobber defense held firm to prevent further damage. Concordia responded with several quality looks late in the period, pushing play back into the offensive zone and creating traffic in front of goal. Despite outshooting stretches of play and winning key faceoffs, the Cobbers trailed 1-0 after one.

Concordia carried the momentum for much of the second period but was unable to break through. Midway through the frame, Saint Benedict used a timeout at the 8:48 mark to slow the Cobber push. Concordia continued to press following the break, including a blocked shot from Sophie Hauer in the slot and additional pressure from Allie Emineth along the end boards.

The Cobbers earned their second power-play opportunity of the night at 5:27 after a Bennies slashing penalty. Memphis Mertens led the charge with three shots during the advantage, and Siena Kropp added another look from the high slot, but Concordia was unable to convert before the penalty expired. The Cobbers headed into the second intermission still trailing 1-0.

Concordia opened the third period shorthanded after a cross-checking penalty just six seconds into the frame, but the Cobber penalty kill stood tall to keep the deficit at one. The Bennies eventually doubled their lead at 13:28 when Stinnett netted her second goal of the afternoon, finishing off an assist from Avery Kasick to make it 2-0.

The Cobbers answered quickly.

After Saint Benedict was called for high sticking at 12:39, Concordia capitalized on the ensuing power play. At 12:11, Morgan Sauvageau scored from behind the goal line, with assists from Kropp and Jaclyn Lloyd, cutting the deficit to 2-1 and injecting energy into the Cobber bench.

The intensity picked up midway through the period with matching roughing penalties assessed to both teams, leading to extended 4-on-4 play. Concordia continued to press and earned another power-play opportunity at 7:57 but was unable to convert.

With just over a minute remaining, the Cobbers pulled Bailey in an effort to find the equalizer. However, Saint Benedict sealed the game with an empty-net goal with 15 seconds remaining to secure the 3-1 final.

The Cobbers move to 8-16 overall and 5-12 in MIAC play. Concordia will close out the regular season tomorrow when they travel to St. Joseph for a 5:30 p.m. puck drop against the Bennies.