Written by Tyler Kuehl
 
CHELSEA, Mich. – The Women's Hockey team finally kicked off their 2021 season on the road, as they took on the Concordia-Ann Arbor Cardinals, a team they had not lost to heading into Saturday night.
 
For the first time in their history, the Cardinals were able to knock off the Panthers with three goals in the final 20 minutes.
 
QUICK STATS
 
Final Score: Davenport 1 – Concordia 4
Shots: DU 22 | CUAA 44
Power Play: DU (0/1) | CUAA (0/4)
Records: DU (0-1) | CUAA (3-0)
 
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
 
The Panthers had handled Cardinals over the first four meetings, but this was a different Cardinals team. Despite neither team scoring in the first period, the Cardinals picked up their offense in the second, putting 22 shots on goal. DU's Julia Gaynor stopped all but one, as Sydney Schuyler scored her first of the season to break the ice.
 
In the third period, Aaliyah James extended the lead to two with her first of the year. Just a couple of minutes later, Olivia Rudberg scored her first goal since the 2018-19 season. However, the Cardinals came back with goals from Adrianna Rugerio and Kassidy Scheben put the game out of reach, and skated away with the 4-1 win.
 
WHO'S NEXT?
 
DU has a quick turnaround, as they play the Cardinals again on Sunday morning back home at Patterson. Puck drop is bright and early, 9:30 a.m.