CSB Hockey sweeps Concordia to begin MIAC play this season

The CSB hockey team picked up a pair of wins this weekend over Concordia-Moorhead to move to 3-3 overall and 2-0 in MIAC conference play.

The Bennies hit the road and headed to Moorhead for the first game on Friday, Nov. 11.Concordia opened the scoring with a little over eight minutes to go in the first period. But CSB would strike back with three straight goals.

“We knew that Concordia was going to give us a challenge from the start,” junior forward Corrine Brown said. “So, us coming out flying, starting on Friday night in Moorhead, was key to our sweep. Coach Lindsay always quotes, ‘Go and Fill’ and ‘Just play hockey,’ meaning we know how to play the game and we know what we’re supposed to do.”

The Bennies’ first goal came nine minutes into the second period from Brown, followed roughly ten minutes later by sophomore Ava Stinnett. The goals from Brown and Stinnett were the first of their season and the sixth of their careers.

Sophomore Emma Rooks scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal halfway through the third period. The goal was assisted by sophomore Aurora Opsahl. It was her third assist of the night, giving the forward her first career playmaker.

The Cobbers took to the road on Saturday, Nov. 12, visiting the Bennies at the St. Cloud Municipal Athletic Complex. This time around, it was CSB that struck first. Rooks started right where she left off Friday night, scoring late in the first period to put the Bennies up. CSB poured it on in the second with three straight goals from sophomore Sami Boerboom, first-year Presley Kraemer and Opsahl. Senior Ally Frantzick earned CSB Athlete of the Week with her performances in net over the weekend.

Frantzick stopped 32 of 34 shots and recorded her second shutout of the season and fifth of her career. In five games this season, Frantzick is averaging 1.79 goals allowed per game with a .905 save percentage. Frantzick noted that this year’s squad has been well-prepared and ready for weekend series this year.

“We have been able to play those back-to-back games,” Frantzick said. “Our season is always Friday and Saturday games with a couple Tuesday games, and we have been doing a really good job being ready for that second game. We have been really focusing on recovery, and I think it has been really good this year.”

The hockey team will return to action this weekend in another MIAC home-and-home. The Bennies will head to Duluth on Friday, Nov. 18, and return home Saturday, Nov. 19, to face St. Scholastica, who is 0-4-1 overall and 0-2 in MIAC play.

“To prepare for this weekend, our practices will consist of working on the little things that we will need to focus on for the games this weekend and having consistent, high-intensity practices,” Rooks said. “We will also be watching film to hone in on the little things that they will be doing and how to work around that to take advantage of the games.”