Foresters Close Out First Semester with Shutout Over Concordia

Foresters Close Out First Semester with Shutout Over Concordia

Freshman goalie Jenna Brankin (pictured) made 34 saves for her third shutout of the season to lead the Lake Forest women's hockey team to a 1-0 victory over Concordia (Wis.) on Tuesday night at the Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse.

With the victory, the Foresters (9-4-1, 8-2-0 NCHA) complete the regular season series sweep against the Falcons (5-4-0, 4-3-0 NCHA). Lake Forest closes out the fall semester on a three-game winning streak.

Lake Forest got on the board just 2:36 into the game as senior forward Jessica Dare scored her sixth goal of the season. Sophomore forward Stephanie Slinde assisted on the goal that slid through the legs of Concordia goaltender Kaitlyn Evans.

The Foresters had a chance to take a 2-0 lead on a wide open net but freshman forward Morgan Pope's shot with 1:30 remaining in the first period hit the cross bar.

The two teams played through scoreless second and third periods with Brankin making 10 saves in the second period and 13 in the third. Evans stopped 11 shots in the second period and six in the third period. Evans finished the game with 25 saves.

Concordia pulled Evans with a minute left in the game in favor of an extra skater but the gamble did not pay off as Brankin and the Foresters held on for the win.

Lake Forest is off until Friday, Jan. 13 when it hosts the University of Wisconsin-River Falls at 7 p.m. at the Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse.