No. 2 Warriors’ Season Ends in National Semifinals

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. – It was Semifinal Saturday just outside of St. Louis as No. 2 Midland University took on No. 3 Adrian College in the ACHA Women's Division 1 National Tournament. The Warriors and Bulldogs, who both won their respective quarterfinal games in commanding fashion were looking to punch their ticket into the title game. After a hard-fought contest on the ice, it was Adrian coming away with the 5-3 (EN) win to move on to Sunday's season finale.

The Bulldogs scored the game's introductory goal just past the halfway point at the 13:17 mark after the Warriors were sent to the penalty box for a tripping call.

After a second minor penalty, also for tripping, Adrian netted another goal via the advantage at the 17:26 mark. They would take a 2-0 lead into the intermission after converting on two of their three powerplay opportunities. Midland had two chances in the first but was unable to capitalize.

In the second, the Bulldogs struck in the opening minute to go up 3-0. Midland kept battling and with 14:38 on the clock, Katie McNair scored off an assist from Kamryn Hayhurst and Darbi Poole. The goal came as Adrian was serving a minor for checking.

Before the period ended, Adrian scored once more and held a 4-1 lead as the teams left the ice for the second intermission.

Trailing by three goals with their season on the line, the Warriors fought back in the third. At the midway point of the period, Grace Page score off an assist from Callie Maguire to cut into the lead. Three minutes later, the deficit was narrowed to a single goal as Poole scored off a pass from Jaicee Huberdeau.

As the game's minutes ticked down, the Warriors pulled their goalie for the extra attacker. They got a few chances at the equalizing goal but ultimately, the Bulldogs took control of the puck and scored an empty-net insurance goal with 1:21 left.

Hannah Stone was dealt the loss despite picking up 32 saves on the evening. Her counterpart had 28 saves as the Bulldogs moved on to the ACHA National Championship. They'll face No. 4 Minot State who outlasted top-ranked Liberty 2-1 in double overtime.

Midland's season comes to an end in the national semifinals for the second straight season. The Warriors finish the year 30-2-2, having spent several weeks ranked atop the ACHA Polls during the season. Head coach Jason White and the coaching staff will have some holes to fill in the lineup next season with up to nine players graduating and playing their final game as a Warrior.