(O'FALLON, Ill., Feb. 16) – The McKendree University women's hockey team took game two over the University of Rhode Island on Saturday afternoon by the score of 3-0.
 
The Bearcats advance to 16-8 overall on the season.
 
After back and forth play to begin the opening period, sophomore Paris Suzuki (Covina, CA/Covina High School) found the back of the net after putting away her own rebound. Suzuki was assisted by sophomore Dakota Peterson (Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada) and freshman Kayla Waldbillig (West Kelowna, BC, Canada/Mount Boucherie Secondary School). The Bearcats carried a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
 
Seven minutes into the second period, junior Lara Wentz (Bismark, ND/) extended the McKendree lead after she found the net just as a power-play opportunity expired. Juniors Jana Garrow (Wexford, PA/North Allegheny) and Alyssa Albee (Brookfield, WI/Brookfield Central) were credited with assists. McKendree led Rhode Island 2-0 after 40 minutes of play.
 
During a five on three power-play, junior Nadia Studnicka (Chillicothe, IL/Home School) fired a slap shot past the Rams' netminder. Sophomore Madison Mesec (Menlo Park, CA/Menlo-Atherton) and freshman Taylor Clarke (Victoria, BC, Canada/Belmont Secondary) were given assists on the goal. The Bearcat defense held up as McKendree took game two 3-0 over Rhode Island.
 
Junior goaltender Jazmin Malinowski (New Lenox, IL/Lincoln-Way) stopped 19 shots in her efforts.
 
The women's hockey team will close out regular season play at home against a local opponent in Lindenwood-Belleville on Feb. 23-24.