No. 2 Warriors Sweep Top-Ranked McKendree

O'FALLON, Ill. – In a matchup of the nation's top two teams, No. 2 Midland University took on No. 1 McKendree University in a two-game series on Thursday and Friday inside the McKendree Metro Rec Plex. Both teams are members of the Women's Midwest College Hockey (WMCH) league. The Warriors claimed the opening game 3-1 and completed the sweep with a 3-2 victory on Friday afternoon.

THURSDAY: Midland 3, McKendree 1

After a scoreless opening period, the Bearcats broke through just over a minute into the second. They held the lead for roughly 10 minutes before the Warriors responded. Grace Page tied the game at the 14:29 mark on assists from Jordan Bell and Jaden Greenlee. Just over a minute later, Bell scored the go-ahead goal at 15:43, assisted by Ashlynn Kuffler. Midland carried a 2-1 lead into the intermission behind a dominant 16-4 shot advantage in the period.

In the third, the Warriors capitalized on a four-on-three opportunity after McKendree was whistled for tripping during offsetting penalties. Less than a minute into the power play, Brooke Barylski netted the insurance goal, assisted by Darbi Poole and Taylor Bell.

Goaltender Meghan Stewart earned her seventh win of the season with 20 saves. Midland outshot McKendree 29-21.

FRIDAY: Midland 3, McKendree 2

The rematch was tightly contested from the start. McKendree took two penalties in the first period, and Midland made them pay on the second opportunity. Jordan Bell scored at the 16:19 mark on assists from Makenna Larson and Taylor Bell to give the Warriors a 1-0 lead at the first intermission.

McKendree tied the game early in the second period, but Midland regained the lead midway through the frame when Molly McMurrich scored at 9:56, assisted by Kennedy Wood. Both teams had two power-play chances late in the period, but neither converted, and the Warriors held a 2-1 lead going into the third.

Early in the final period, the Bearcats scored on a power play to tie the game. With under four minutes remaining, Jaicee Huberdeau found Kuffler for the game-winning goal at 3:51. McKendree earned a late power play but was called for an offsetting penalty less than a minute in.

The Warriors controlled possession in the final minutes, preventing McKendree from pulling its goaltender. Midland improved to 15-0, extending the longest winning streak in program history. The Warriors opened the 2023-24 season with a 29-0-2 record, the longest unbeaten streak in program history.

Goaltender Natalie Rampton earned the win with 20 saves and improved to 5-0 on the year.

Midland (15-0) continues its road trip with a two-game series against No. 5 Maryville (3-3) on Saturday and Sunday. The Warriors and Saints will face off at 5:30 p.m. on October 25 and 12:30 p.m. on October 26 in Chesterfield, Mo.