(O'FALLON, Ill., Nov. 15) – In a rematch of last season's American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) National Tournament, the McKendree women's hockey fell just short in a hard fought 4-3 loss to Adrian College. The visiting Bulldogs netted a goal with two minutes left in the third period to decide the game.
 
The Bearcats slip to 6-5 overall on the season. McKendree will now host Grand Valley State University on Saturday and Sunday. Puck drop is slated for 7:00pm on Saturday and 1:00pm on Sunday.
 
McKendree opened the scoring when senior Lara Wentz (Bismark, ND/) flew by the Bulldog defense, deking the goalie and burying the puck in the back of the net. Wentz goal was on the penalty kill with an assist from senior Alyssa Albee (Brookfield, WI/Brookfield Central). Five minutes later, Adrian knotted the game at one pushing the teams even at the first intermission.
 
The Bulldogs took the lead quickly into the second period, scoring 28 seconds in. Junior Paris Suzuki (Covina, CA/Covina High School) buried a power play goal to tie the game at two with assists from freshman Tianna Walkus (Port Hardy, BC, Canada/Port Hardy Secondary School) and Wentz. Adrian countered back with a goal 10 seconds later to regain the lead. The Bulldogs carried a 3-2 lead into the final period of play.
 
Four minutes into the third period, Albee knocked in a loose puck to tie the game at three. Senior Delayne Ivanowski (Kirkwood, MO/Kirkwood) and sophomore Kayla Waldbillig (West Kelowna, BC, Canada/Mount Boucherie Secondary School) were credited with assists. With two minutes remaining in the game, Adrian scored the game-winning goal to notch a 4-3 victory over McKendree.
 
The Bearcats scored all three of their goals while on special teams with two power-play goals and one short-handed goal.
 
Sophomore goalie Naomi Leasck (St. Louis, MO/Lindbergh High School) made 20/24 saves in the loss.