WINONA, Minn. — To kick off the weekend for the women's hockey team, Saint Mary's (3-5-0, 2-3-0) gutted out a hard-fought 4–3 win over Concordia-Moorhead (1-6-0, 1-4-0) on home ice Friday evening. The Cardinals found the back of the net in all three periods and leaned on a balanced scoring effort to outlast the Cobbers, who battled back to tie the game twice. 

Both teams fired 25 shots on goal, while Saint Mary's held a slight edge at the faceoff dot, winning 52 percent.

Saint Mary's set the tone early in the first period, controlling possession and generating chances before Sophia Paduano broke through with a steal and a strike at 16:13  her third of the year. Concordia answered quickly and capitalized less than a minute later to knot the game at one. 

Despite a late power play and continued pressure, the Cardinals couldn't regain the lead before the intermission.

The Cardinals' offense came alive in the second. 

Keeley Callander put Saint Mary's back in front at 9:02 off a setup from Reese Heitzman, and Heitzman doubled the lead just under two minutes later with help from Teagan Phillips and Leah Parker, making it 3–1. 

But Concordia stayed within striking distance, and two quick goals from Taylyn Cope brought the score back to 3–3 heading into the final frame.

In the third, Saint Mary's found the game-winner. 

Destinee Hoffmann buried her first career goal at 12:52, for one to remember, that was assisted by Mikayla Vasilevich and Taverie Sherner, giving the Cardinals the lead for good. 

Concordia pushed late, but Magali Fillion stood tall in net to secure the win.

The Cardinals ride this high into tomorrow where they play for something bigger than hockey, they play for their teammate Riley Vander Esch. Come out and support the team and Riley, tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. against Concordia for the team's Rally for Riley game.