(LEBANON, Ill., Sept. 29) – The McKendree University women's hockey team earned its first victory of the 2017-18 campaign in the home opener. The Bearcats skated past Grand Canyon University with a 2-0 win.
 
McKendree opened the scoring in the contest in the first period when freshman forward Callie Hoadley (Hanover, MA) fired a shot that beat the Antelopes goaltender. Freshman defenseman Elia Burbidge (Tottenham, Ontario, Canada/The Hill Academy) and sophomore goalie Jazmin Malinowski (New Lenox, IL/Lincoln-Way) earned assists on Hoadley's goal. The Bearcats peppered the Grand Canyon goal with 19 shots, but were only able to sneak one past.  McKendree fired another 17 shots on goal in the second period, but were unable to find the back of the net. The Bearcats scored again in the third period when sophomore forward Domenika Reusche (San Jose, CA/Archbishop Mitty) sniped one that beat the blocker hand of the Antelopes goaltender, with freshman defenseman Laurynn Davey (Owens Cross Roads, Alabama/Huntsville High School) and freshman forward Dakota Peterson (Battleford, Saskatchewan) registering assists.
 
Malinowski got the nod to start for the Bearcats in the contest, stopping all 17 shots sent her way along with registering an assist. Hoadley netted her first career goal as a Bearcat, with three other freshman recording their first career points.
 
McKendree is back on the ice for its second home contest of the season on October 5 at 7:45 p.m. against No. 1 Liberty University.