(O'FALLON, Ill., Feb. 23) – The McKendree University women's hockey team opened up its final home regular season series with a 7-2 loss to the Lynx from Lindenwood-Belleville.
 
The Bearcats move to 16-9 overall on the season.
 
Lindenwood-Belleville jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first period. McKendree put six shots on goal during the opening 20 minutes.
 
The Lynx managed to add four more goals during the second period to take a 6-0 lead into the final period. The Bearcats added eight more shots in the period but were unable to find the back of the net.
 
Eight minutes into the third period, sophomore Dakota Peterson (Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada) put away a rebound off a shot from junior Delayne Ivanowski (Kirkwood, MO/Kirkwood) for a power-play goal. Freshman Kayla Waldbillig (West Kelowna, BC, Canada/Mount Boucherie Secondary School) was also awarded an assist. With six minutes left in the game, sophomore Paris Suzuki (Covina, CA/Covina High School) buried a loose puck in the crease for another McKendree goal. Freshman Taylor Clarke (Victoria, BC, Canada/Belmont Secondary) and Peterson were credited with the helpers. The Lynx added a goal in the period to claim a 7-2 victory over McKendree.
 
The Bearcats will look for a split in the regular season finale on Sunday at 12:45p.m. at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex.