(LEBANON, Ill., Oct. 4) – The McKendree University women's hockey team is gearing up for three contests this weekend, including one against No. 1 Liberty University on Thursday at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex, beginning at 7:45 p.m. Following Thursday's matchup the Bearcats head to Midland University for a weekend series. Saturday the Bearcats play the Warriors at 4 p.m., and Sunday the teams play again at 12 p.m.
 
McKendree sits at No. 14 in the pre-season rankings and is 1-0 on the season after defeating Grand Canyon University on Sept. 29^th.  The contest was a 2-0 victory for the Bearcats, highlighted by sophomore goaltender Jazmin Malinowski (New Lenox, IL/Lincoln-Way)'s shutout. Malinowski stopped all 17 shots on goal while adding an assist on freshman forward Callie Hoadley (Hanover, MA)'s first collegiate goal.
 
Liberty University sits atop the pre-season rankings and will open its season on the road against McKendree. Last season the Lady Flames made it all the way to the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Women's DI National Championship, where they fell to the Miami University Red Hawks. Midland University is unranked in the pre-season rankings, but opened the season with a pair of road wins after sweeping No. 13 Davenport University. Last season the Bearcats handled the Warriors, sweeping the series with 5-3 and 3-0 victories.