No. 2 Warriors Finish Weekend with Split at No. 5 Maryville

CHESTERFIELD, Mo. – Fresh off a pair of wins over the top-ranked team, the No. 2-ranked Midland University women's hockey team continued its road stretch with two games against No. 5-ranked Maryville University this weekend. The Warriors opened the series with a 2-0 win on Saturday before falling to the Saints, 3-2, on Sunday to close out their four games in four days road trip.

SATURDAY: Midland 2, Maryville 0

Midway through the first period, the Warriors capitalized on a power-play opportunity. At the 11:13 mark, Ashlyn Kuffler scored off a feed from Kiara McGregor to put Midland on the board. The 1-0 lead held through the intermission and throughout the second period.

Early in the third, Kuffler struck again, finding a gap in the defense less than two minutes into the period. She netted her second goal off an assist from Jordan Bell, giving the Warriors an insurance score. Midland held strong defensively the rest of the way to secure the shutout.

Brynn Knaus earned the win in net, stopping all 28 shots she faced. The victory was her fourth of the season.

SUNDAY: Maryville 3, Midland 2

In the series finale, the Warriors got on the board early with a goal just 1:14 into the first period. Grace Page connected with Taylor Bell to give Midland an early lead, which they carried into the intermission.

Maryville responded in the second period with two goals in a 32-second span at the 8:29 mark and again at 9:01 to take a 2-1 lead. The Saints maintained the advantage into the third period.

Midland battled back to tie the game at the 11:53 mark of the third as Victoria Campbell scored off assists from Brooke Barylski and Jaden Greenlee. The game appeared destined for overtime with the score tied 2-2.

However, with just under two minutes remaining, Maryville found a crease in the defense and scored the game-winner.

Knaus took the hard-luck loss in goal despite the Warriors outshooting the Saints 31-11. She recorded eight saves.

Midland (16-1) will have a short week of practice before hitting the road again next weekend to face No. 7-ranked Minot State (4-2-4). The Warriors and Beavers will square off inside Maysa Arena on Friday and Saturday. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. both days in Minot, North Dakota.