Aurora University women's hockey opened up the 2021-2022 NCHA Slaats Cup quarterfinal series with Concordia University Wisconsin with a 7-4 victory at the Fox Valley Ice Arena. The Spartans scored five goals in the third period to grab the victory.
FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 7, Concordia University Wisconsin 4
LOCATION: Fox Valley Ice Arena - Geneva, Illinois
RECORDS: Aurora University 19-6 overall ; Concordia University Wisconsin 13-12-1 overall
- The Spartans scored first on the games first power play at 1:36.
-
Stephanie Schmunk won the draw and eight seconds later,
Darci Matson lit the lamp. Schmunk and
Marisa Trevino had assists,
- With 7:26 left in the first, CUW scored to tie the contest, corralling a loose puck in front of the AU net.
- At 3:56 of the first an apparent goalie interference, what would have been the second of the game, was not called and AU starter
Chiara Pfosi had to leave the ice.
- Seconds later, CUW went to the power play and with 2:16 left in the first CUW scored and led 2-1.
- The teams went to intermission with AU trailing 2-1 on the scoreboard and 19-8 in shots on goal.
- With 7:05 left in the second, AU tied the game.
-
Darci Matson fed a streaking
Peyton Elliott who buried the shot home.
Ellie Visser had an assist on the play.
- Later in the second, AU and goalie
Chiara Pfosi stopped a penalty shot attempt to keep the game tied 2-2.
- The teams went to the second intermission tied 2-2.
- 1:35 into the third, CUW scored on a breakaway to go ahead 3-2.
- With 8:18 left in the third, AU tied the game with
Olivia Matson scoring on assists from her sister Darci and
Peyton Elliott
- Almost four minutes later,
Haley Knauf stuff home a loose puck to give AU the 4-3 lead.
Erin Campbell and
Rachel Campoli had assists.
- A short time later, a huge Spartan insurance goal gave AU the 5-3 advantage.
Darci Matson scored her second of the game with
Makenna Brownlee and
Olivia Matson assisting.
- 1:17 later, CUW scored to make it a one goal game at 5-4.
- The scoring frenzy was just beginning for the Spartans though.
- 1:16 after CUW pulled within one, the Spartans struck again with the line combination of Elliott, Matson and Matson doing more damage.
- This time it was
Peyton Elliott collecting her second of the night with assists from Darci and
Olivia Matson.
- After off-setting penalties put the teams at four on four, CUW pulled their goalie.
- 30 seconds of empty net time is what it took the Spartans to seal the win.
- With 55 seconds left in the game,
Olivia Matson scored the emptty net tally, lofting a shot from beyond the center ice line.
- The Spartans would win the Slaats Cup series opener 7-4.
Points: Darci Matson (5),
Olivia Matson (4) and
Peyton Elliott (3)
Goals: Darci Matson,
Olivia Matson and
Peyton Elliott (2) and
Haley Knauf (1)
Assists: Darci Matson (3) and
Olivia Matson (2)
Saves: Chiara Pfosi (34) and
Shelbi Duster (4)
Next action for the Spartan women's hockey team comes on Saturday, February 26 when they host the first round of the NCHA Slaats Cup playoffs. Game two with the Spartans and Concordia Wisconsin is set for 3:00 p.m. at the Fox Valley Ice Arena.
