(LEBANON, Ill., Jan. 17) – The McKendree University women's hockey team returns to the McKendree Metro Rec Plex after a long road trip to host two contests.
 
On Friday, the Bearcats will play the Spartans from Michigan State University at 5:00p.m. and will face off against the Pioneers of the University of Denver on Saturday at 3:00p.m.
 
McKendree enters at 12-5 overall, opening the 2019 calendar year. Sophomore Dakota Peterson (Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada) leads the Bearcat offense with 12 goals and 16 points while freshman Kayla Waldbillig (West Kelowna, BC, Canada/Mount Boucherie Secondary School) facilitates the attack with a team-leading nine assists.
 
Between the pipes, junior Jazmin Malinowski (New Lenox, IL/Lincoln-Way) supports a 7-1 record, a measly .62 goals against average with a .971 save percentage and five shutouts. Freshman Naomi Leasck (St. Louis, MO/Lindbergh High School) sports a 5-4 record, 1.77 goals against average with a .942 save percentage and two shutouts.
 
About Michigan State:
The Spartans are 10-3 overall on the season and are led by Julia Lutz and Ashley Astor. Lutz leads the team with 15 goals and 20 points while Astor has a team-leading 14 assists. The primary netminder is Kathryn Hamer with an 8-3 record, 2.73 goals against average with a .891 save percentage and two shutouts.
 
About Denver:
The Pioneers are 3-12 overall on the season after falling in three consecutive games against Midland University on Jan. 11-12. Sarah McDonald and Marissa Lambert lead the way for Denver. McDonald records a team-lead 12 assists and 20 points while Lambert has netted 12 goals. Splitting time in net are Sophia Sterling and Tanner Stover. Sterling is 2-4 overall, with a 5.33 goals against average and .890 save percentage. Stover is 1-8 overall, with a 5.99 goals against average and .867 save percentage.
 
If you cannot attend, both games will be broadcasted here: https://www.glvcsn.com/mckendree/.