O'Fallon, Ill. - McKendree University women's hockey (10-7) won a second-straight matchup with Lindenwood and earned back-to-back wins overall with a win against Minnesota on February 18. The Bearcats were previously 0-3 against the Lions but have takend the last two matchups on February 6 (W, 4-3) and February 22 (W, 2-1). McKendree also celebrated senior day against the Lions with recognition going to goaltender Naomi Leasck, defender Brittany Koch, and wing Jackie Leone. 

vs. Lindenwood | February 22
The Bearcats fired on all cylinders to start the game, capitalizing on a power play in the second minute to take a 1-0 lead. The opening goal in the match was scored by freshman defender Makenna Howe on the first shot by either team in the game and was assisted by freshman forward Larisa Gorgevska-Sharpe. Throughout the first period of action, McKendree controlled the flow of the game, keeping the puck in its attacking half of the ice for the majority of time. The contest between the foes became more tightly contested as time ticked away and penalties started to amass with Lindenwood earning four and the Bearcats earning two. McKendree took advantage of being up a skater with a power play in the 16th minute of action, which led to freshman forward Kiley Hasenfratz firing a second Bearcats goal at the 15:59 mark off assists from Gorgevska-Sharpe and Howe. McKendree took a 2-0 lead into the second period and fired nine shots at the Lions in the first 20 minutes of action. 

The second and third periods featured a ferocious battle for the puck but McKendree continued to work well at keeping possession and control. The Lions finally bit back with a score in the 12th minute of the second period, cutting the score to just one goal. 

McKendree held out for the win with 21 total shots on goal versus Lindenwood's 23. Senior goaltender Naomi Leasck nabbed 20 saves, only allowing the singular goal in the second period, with multiple saves on an out-numbered attack. 

vs. Minnesota | February 18
In the first game of the weekend on Friday evening, the Bearcats faced off against the Golden Gophers, evetually taking the contest by a 3-0 margin. With a null first period, the Bearcats went to work in the second with freshman defender Aria Groot cpaturing the first score of the game on an unassisted goal in the 14th minute. In the closing minutes of period two, McKendree tacked on a second score behind junior center Camryn Scully with assists from junior wing Quinn Atchison and junior forward Juliana Davis. In the third and final period, the Bearcats added an extra insurance goal from junior defender Madison Puffalt, who was assisted by Atchison and Davis, once again. 

Sophomore goaltender Brianna Burke held the net for the contest against the Golden Gophers, amassing 17 saves and zero goals allowed in her efforts.

UP NEXT
McKendree women's hockey will be heading out to Chesterfield for the conference playoffs this upcoming weekend, beginning with a first round matchup on Friday at 2:00 P.M.

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