No. 5 Warriors Sweep Past No. 4 Minot State, Extend Winning Streak

FREMONT, Neb. – No. 5 Midland University hosted No. 4 Minot State University this weekend in a top-five showdown at Sidner Ice Arena. Back in action for the first time this semester, the Warriors showed little rust as they earned a 5-2 victory over the Beavers on Friday night. On Saturday, they kept the momentum going with a 4-1 win to complete the weekend sweep.

FRIDAY: Midland 5, Minot State 2

The Warriors opened the series with a commanding 5-2 win. Makenna Larson got things started with a power-play goal at 10:21 of the first period, assisted by Jaicee Huberdeau and Callie Maguire. Midland extended its lead in the second period with Larson scoring again at 11:47, followed by a goal from Grace Page at 16:53, assisted by Taylor Bell and Darbi Poole.

Minot State attempted to mount a comeback with a goal in the second period by Makena Welby, assisted by Cameron Schmidt and Makenna Beard. However, the Warriors responded in the third period with Larson completing her hat trick on the power play at 15:30, assisted by Katie McNair and Maguire. Maguire sealed the win with an empty-net goal at 16:12.

Meghan Stewart stood tall in goal for Midland, making 26 saves. Minot State's Haylie Biever recorded 22 saves in the loss.

SATURDAY: Midland 4, Minot State 1

Midland carried Friday's momentum into Saturday's game, earning a 4-1 win to secure the sweep. The Warriors jumped out to an early lead in the first period with goals from Katie McNair and Rylee Martin. McNair's tally was assisted by Grace Page, while Martin scored on the power play, assisted by Poole and McNair.

Minot State's lone goal came in the third period from Schmidt, but Midland put the game out of reach with two empty-net goals in the closing minutes. Maguire scored both, with assists from Huberdeau and Kennedy Wood.

Stewart was again outstanding in net, stopping 23 shots. Minot State's Jillian Ackerman made 22 saves in defeat.

Midland (17-5-0) will look to extend its ten-game winning streak with four key road games in Arizona next week. The Warriors will face No. 14 Arizona State on Thursday and Friday before concluding their trip with a weekend series against Grand Canyon University.