×

Lions head back on the road to face Cobbers in nonconference play

MOORHEAD, Minn. – Coming off a strong showing in a split with the Marian Sabres at home last weekend, the Finlandia Lions women’s hockey team heads back out on the road this weekend to face a Concordia Cobbers team that has struggled out of the gates this season to a 4-3-2 start.

The Lions are 2-6-1 overall and have developed some confidence, something not missed by head coach Matt Marchel, who liked what he saw out of the girls in practice this week.

“I would say it has to be high,” said Marchel. “I can only go off of what I see in the locker room and on the ice every day…I take that as the girls are feeling it. They are feeling good. They are moving quickly, and they are on time for everything.”

The Lions should be confident. On Friday, they held a 3-2 lead in the late stages of the second period after trailing 2-0 just 4:28 in. The Lions surrendered the game’s next four goals, including an empty-netter, but showed some balanced scoring as junior Natasha Kern, captain Sierra Meiners and sophomore Bella Abear all scored.

The Sabres struck three times on the power play Friday, so Marchel and his staff made some changes before Saturday’s afternoon tilt.

The subtle adjustment worked well as the Lions skated away with a 4-1 win.

“We made one little adjustment on Saturday on the penalty kill,” said Marchel. “The girls picked it up quickly. It was effective.”

Sophomore Kait Ryynanen broke through with her first two goals of the season, and Abear added her second of the weekend late in the third. Meiners racked up three assists.

“They both had awesome summers,” said Marchel. “You can see it in practice every day. It is no secret that they are absolute ballers in practice every single day. It shines through in games, the confidence.”

In the contest, freshman Rebecca Lilly scored her first career goal, something that Marchel has been waiting for her to do.

“She’s big, tall, long and strong,” said Marchel. “Her footwork and her movement is great. All of her footwork is just right. She is efficient. [The goal] was huge for her. Hopefully, that will continue.”

Marchel is encouraged by how confident his team is jumping up the ice and getting to opposing defenses quickly, causing matchup issues and creating space for Meiners to drive the offense in ways she has not previously done.

“It comes in playing without the puck,” said Marchel. “You have to put yourself in position to succeed when you don’t have the puck.”

This weekend, the Lions are back on the road in Moorhead, Minn., facing a Cobbers team that has 14 games a season each of the last two years but are off to a bit of a slow start this season.

Former North Dakota Fighting Hawks forward Jason Gregoire has done a commendable job with the Cobbers over the past three seasons. The Cobbers are led in scoring by sophomore forward Amanda Flemming, who has six goals and 11 points through nine games.

GAME TIMES

Tonight’s game at the Moorhead Sports Center will start at 7:15 p.m. Saturday’s contest will start at 2 p.m.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today