It’s a deja vu moment for Hamline’s women’s hockey team, as they opened their season against Concordia (WI) for the second straight year. Opening with a win and a loss under their belts, the Pipers proved that this season is sure to be a good one.

Head coach Natalie Darwitz is looking forward to the season with the addition of 14 new players to mix into the returning players.

“We made significant strides last season as a program,” Darwitz said. “We are certainly encouraged to build off that this season.”

The Pipers tied 1-1 and lost 2-3 against Concordia last season, so a win and a loss are a positive improvement for the Pipers

The Pipers squared up with the Falcons Friday night and brought home the win with a final score of 5-2. The first line showed off their scoring prowess when they scored two goals in the first period 28 seconds apart to put the Pipers ahead 2-1 after Concordia scored an early goal.

The Falcons tied the game 5:40 into the second period, and the third period started with the two teams in a 2-2 tie. The Pipers finished strong, scoring the final three goals to push the score to its 5-2 final.

The women were able to connect as a cohesive team to win. The connection, however, isn’t only on the ice.

“There is chemistry on and off the ice,” junior forward Jaimee Nowicki said. “I’m excited to start the season and mentor the newcomers to the team.”

The second game proved that the Falcons were no pushovers. First-year Mari Johnson started in net and allowed four goals while making 16 saves.

The Pipers held a 3-1 lead with ten minutes to go in the second period, but Concordia scored three goals, including a power play tally, to take the lead 4-3 going into the second period.

The Pipers wouldn’t go down without a literal fight, as a few women were penalized for roughing and unsportsmanlike conduct. In an effort to score the equalizer, Darwitz pulled the goalie with a minute and thirty seconds remaining.

Their efforts were for naught, as the Pipers were unable to find a way past Concordia’s sophomore goalie Christina Pattengale. The game ended in a loss of 3-4.

The first weekend of play saw first-year forward Bre Simon break out with three goals and two assists in the two games. First-year forward Sadie Baker added four assists, first-year defender Dani Wright had three assists and junior forward Darby Dodds and sophomore forward Brede Postier each tallied a pair of goals.

The Pipers finished last season in seventh place in the MIAC with a 9-13-3 record overall and a 6-10-2 MIAC record in Darwitz’s first year, the highest number of wins the Pipers had recorded since the 2007-2008 season.

All-MIAC honorable mentions senior forward Jena Kosley and senior defender Jaci Reinke are expected to lead the Pipers, who placed seventh in this year’s preseason coach’s poll.

With their opening weekend done, the Pipers are eager to see what their team will do. Their next game sees the Pipers travel to Eau Claire, Wisconsin to take on the Blugolds on Friday, Nov. 4. Puck drops at 7:00 p.m.