No. 5 Warriors Sweep Series at Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — No. 5-ranked Midland University was on the road for a pair of games at the University of Minnesota over the weekend. The Warriors showcased their dominance with a pair of victories against the Golden Gophers in Women's Midwest College Hockey (WMCH) league action. The Warriors earned a 3-1 win on Saturday and followed it with a commanding 9-0 shutout on Sunday at Ridder Arena.
SATURDAY: Midland 3, Minnesota 1
Midland opened the weekend series with a hard-fought win, taking control late in each period. After 15 minutes of scoreless action, freshman Kennedy Wood broke through with her first collegiate goal at the 16:00 mark, assisted by Sky Thompson, giving the Warriors a 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission.
Minnesota found an equalizer early in the second period, briefly shifting momentum. Midland regained control late in the period, capitalizing on a power play as Makara Magbanua netted the go-ahead goal with assists from Grace Page and Keagan Shearer at the 18:08 mark.
The Warriors added insurance in the third period, again on the power play, as Darbi Poole scored at 10:34 with assists from Taylor Bell and Katie McNair. Goaltender Meghan Stewart anchored the defense, securing the win with a strong performance in net.
SUNDAY: Midland 9, Minnesota 0
The Warriors dominated the second game of the series, delivering a clinic on both ends of the ice. Darbi Poole scored twice in the opening period, including a power-play goal assisted by Makenna Larson and Rylee Martin, as Midland built a 2-0 lead.
The offensive onslaught continued in the second period, where Midland tallied four goals in under five minutes. Katie McNair opened the scoring spree 47 seconds into the frame, assisted by Callie Maguire and Martin. Poole completed her hat trick at 3:31 with assists from Bell and McNair. Jaicee Huberdeau and Maguire added goals within the same minute, with Maguire's strike assisted by Sydni Richards and Martin.
Midland added three more goals in the third period. Maguire scored her second of the game unassisted in the opening seconds, followed by Wood's second goal of the weekend off Thompson's assist at 6:24. Bell capped off her stellar performance with a goal, assisted by Maguire, at the 7:58 mark.
Goaltender Natalie Rampton recorded the shutout for the Warriors.
Midland (10-5-0) will be on the road this coming weekend when it travels to face Utah (10-4-1). The teams will play a three-game series beginning on Thursday, November 21 in Salt Lake City.