The Northland College Women's Hockey team opened up the 2017-2018 season on the road Friday night against the Concordia-Moorhead Cobbers.

The Jills had a strong start to the game registering the first flurry of shots on net. The Cobbers would score just 2:07 into the period, but the Jills answered immediately on the next shift with a goal from Sam Scott. Freshman, Johanna Cano, registered her first point with the assist to Scott's goal. The Cobbers then netted two more before the end of the period and the Jills trailed 3-1 after one.

Robyn Matula scored at 3:44 of the second period to bring the Jills within one. Concordia-Moorhead followed up with a goal of their own to bring the score to 4-2 after two. Head Coach, Kelly Rider, commented that, "By the second period Gabby Suhr settled in and Robyn Matula played great all night for us offensively. While we didn't play our best consistent hockey through two periods we as a team still gave ourselves a chance."

Unfortunately, the Cobbers added another goal late in the third to walk away with the 5-2 victory. Suhr, in her first collegiate start, went on to 18 saves in the third to bring her total to 45 on the night.

Rider added, "I'm looking forward to tomorrow. Our freshmen really settled in throughout tonight's game. And returning players like Sam Scott, Robyn Matula, and Amanda Abounader definitely made an impact. As a team there is a lot for us to improve upon, but also a lot for us to build from."

The Jills and Cobbers face off again at 2pm tomorrow. The Jills then begin conference play next weekend.