(O'FALLON, Ill., Nov. 1) – The McKendree University women's hockey team used a balanced attack, scoring in each period to win 3-2 over the visiting Golden Gophers from the University of Minnesota on Friday night.
 
The Bearcats extend their win streak to four and sit at 6-4 overall on the season. McKendree take on week off before a three game weekend on Nov. 15-17. Friday's matchup will be Adrian University while the weekend contests will be against Grand Valley State University.
 
McKendree struck late in the first period with a goal from freshman Camryn Scully (Prince George, BC, Canada/Prince George Secondary School). Fellow freshman Quinn Atchison (Victoria, BC, Canada/Belmont Seconday School) sent a backhand pass to Scully who was parked in front of the net for the goal. After the opening 20 minutes of play, the Bearcats led 1-0.
 
Minnesota tied the game at one five minutes into the second period. The Bearcats found the back of the net late in the period with under two minutes remaining. Freshman Juliana Davis (Onanole, Manitoba, Canada) caught a pass from sophomore Jackie Leone (Lake Country, BC, Canada/Kelowna Secondary School) and fired it in the back of the net to regain the lead. Senior Allison Sauvola (Eagle River, WI/Northland Pines) was also credited with an assist. McKendree carried a 2-1 lead into the final period.
 
Scully scored for the second time to extend the lead to two at 3-1. Junior Paris Suzuki (Covina, CA/Covina High School) and freshman Tianna Walkus (Port Hardy, BC, Canada/Port Hardy Secondary School) were given assists on the goal. The Golden Gophers scored with five minutes remaining to cut the lead to one, but the Bearcats held strong defensively to take a 3-2 win over Minnesota.
 
Sophomore goalie Naomi Leasck (St. Louis, MO/Lindbergh High School) made 14/16 saves in the victory.