No. 2 Warriors Advance to Semifinals with OT Win

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Second-seeded Midland University returned to the ice Thursday at Centene Community Ice Center for its final pool play game, taking on seventh-seeded Adrian College. The Warriors and Bulldogs were scoreless through regulation before Midland found the back of the net just past the midway point of overtime to secure a 1-0 victory.

Defense dominated early as the teams combined for 13 shots on goal in the opening period. Midland put nine shots on frame, while Adrian recorded four.

Both goaltenders continued their stellar play in the second period. Meghan Stewart stopped four more Adrian shots, while Rieley Jessie-Gerelli turned away 14 Midland attempts.

In the third period, the Warriors earned a prime opportunity when Adrian was assessed a five-minute major for boarding. Midland generated several additional shots on the ensuing power play, but each attempt was denied by the Bulldogs' netminder.

Shortly after returning to full strength, Adrian received its first and only power-play opportunity following an elbowing penalty against Midland. The Warriors' penalty-kill unit held firm, and the game remained scoreless after 60 minutes. Midland outshot Adrian 16-3 in the final period.

Following an ice resurfacing break, the defensive battle continued into overtime. Midland created multiple chances, recording 12 shots on goal compared with just one for Adrian.

The final shot proved decisive as Taylor Bell scored with 7:02 remaining in overtime. Makenna Larson and Brynn Tosh assisted on the game-winner, clinching the top spot in the pool and a trip to the semifinals for Midland.

Stewart finished with 12 saves to earn her 13th win of the season. The Warriors outshot the Bulldogs 51-12 in nearly 73 minutes of play.

The victory marked Midland's third straight win over Adrian, including two earlier this season, and secured the program's sixth consecutive semifinal appearance. The Warriors will look to advance to the championship game for the first time since 2022.

Midland (29-5-3) will await the completion of pool play and semifinal seeding. The Warriors will return to action Saturday, March 21, at either 4 p.m. or 7 p.m. in St. Louis.