'Jackets take 3 out of 4 points from Falcons

12/15/2009
By Brendan Willis
Staff Writer

The University of Wisconsin - Superior women’s hockey team was in Mequon, Wisconsin last weekend beating the Concordia University Falcons 2-1 Friday night while tying 1-1 Saturday afternoon.

The first game of the weekend was just like most of the ‘Jackets’ games this season: close. 

The ‘Jackets took the early lead, however, as sophomore forward Ashlee Olson (Superior, WI) took a feed from sophomore Torri Shelafoe (Forest Lake, MN) and buried her second of the year past Concordia’s Katie Hirsch. 

After Olson’s goal, both teams did not deliver any goals until midway through the second frame when senior forward Jodi Holland (Rochester, MN) scored her third of the year, giving the ‘Jackets the much needed 2-0 lead. Sophomore forward Ashley Martin (Superior, WI) and senior Jasmine Pollock (Virden, Manitoba) got the helpers on the goal. 

Nearly seven minutes later, senior Melissa Kunzelmen’s shutout bid was nullified when the Falcons Samantha Meuwissen beat Kunzelmen, making the game 2-1. Although the momentum was in the Falcons’ favor, Kunzelmen took over the game and held the Falcons scoreless throughout the entire third period while propelling the ‘Jackets to the victory. 

The win was the ‘Jackets’ third in a row. Kunzelmen ended up with 29 saves while Hirsch also made 29. 

On Saturday afternoon, the ‘Jackets came out looking for their fourth straight victory, but the Falcons had different plans. Unlike Friday night, the first period was scoreless as both teams’ goaltenders shut the door. 

The game remained scoreless until 11:02 of the second period when the Falcons took advantage of a powerplay and put their first goal of the night past Kunzelmen, giving them their first lead of the weekend. 

The Falcons’ lead remained intact throughout the second, but 11:32 into the third period, the ‘Jackets countered. 

Senior Jasmine Pollock took advantage of a Falcon penalty and tied the game up by putting one past Falcons’ goalie Lea Jondal. Juniors Allie Pullar (Hibbing, MN) and Kayla Chilstrom (Lino Lakes, MN) tallied the helpers. 

After Pollock’s goal, both goalies took over and kept the game tied 1-1, resulting in a 5 minute overtime period. The overtime period, however, resulted in nothing as the game ended in a 1-1 tie.

Kunzelmen ended the game with 30 saves while Jondal made 36. Kunzelmen has now only allowed 2 goals in the last 3 games and improved her Goals Against Average to 1.68. With the goal, Pollock now has a 5 game point streak and leads the team with 8 points. 
   
The ‘Jackets now have an overall record of 6-3-2 while being 2-2-2 in conference play. The ‘Jackets will get the Christmas break off and return to action January 15 at home against St.Benedict. Game time will be 4 p.m.