No. 2 Warriors Punch Ticket to Title Game with OT Victory

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – No. 2-seeded Midland University returned to action Saturday afternoon in the semifinals of the ACHA Women's Division 1 National Championships, taking on No. 5-seeded Maryville University. Two days after needing overtime to advance out of pool play, the Warriors once again required extra time, defeating the Saints 4-3.

The penalty box doors stayed busy in the first period, with four infractions against Midland and two against Maryville. The Saints capitalized on one of their power-play opportunities, scoring in the 15th minute and taking a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

Maryville took advantage of another penalty in the second period. Following a roughing minor against the Warriors, the Saints scored their second power-play goal to move ahead 2-0.

Midland responded midway through the period as Kiara McGregor scored the Warriors' first goal on assists from Callie Maguire and Ashlyn Kuffler.

Two minutes later, the game was tied after Maryville was whistled for a checking minor. Kuffler found the back of the net on an assist from McGregor at the 12:17 mark. Before the intermission, Midland grabbed its first lead on a penalty shot.

In the final minute of the period, while playing shorthanded, Darbi Poole raced out of the defensive zone and was tripped by a Maryville defender. Awarded a penalty shot, Poole converted to give the Warriors a 3-2 lead heading into the dressing room.

Maryville opened the third period on a 5-on-3 power play carried over from the second. After Midland regained one skater, the Saints scored the tying goal at the 1:35 mark.

The teams skated scoreless over the final 18:25 of regulation. Maryville earned another power-play opportunity midway through the period, but the Midland defense held firm to send the game to overtime.

In the extra session of traditional five-on-five play, the Warriors ramped up the offensive pressure. Outshooting the Saints by nearly 10 attempts in the period, Midland finally broke through on its 15th shot. McGregor netted her second goal of the game on an assist from Jaicee Huberdeau at the 17:07 mark to send the Warriors to the championship game.

Natalie Rampton earned the win in goal, making 54 saves. Maryville held a 57-47 edge in shots in the highly contested semifinal. Midland battled through 10 penalties, including one five-minute major, while the Saints were assessed four minor penalties.

The Warriors advance to the title game for the second time in program history, with their first appearance coming in 2022. Midland will look to claim its first national championship Sunday in a 6 p.m. matchup against top-seeded Liberty.