MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. – The No. 8 seeded McKendree University women's hockey team opened up play here Wednesday afternoon in the first round of the ACHA Women's Division I National Tournament with a 5-1 setback to No. 5 seeded Lindenwood in USA Arena at the Centene Community Ice Center.
 
With the setback, McKendree falls to 10-9 on the season and is now scheduled to play again on Thursday, March 17 at 10 a.m. against No. 7 seed UMass on the second day of the ACHA Women's Division I National Championships. UMass opened the championships with a 4-0 loss on Wednesday to No. 6 seeded Indiana Tech. 
 
In Wednesday's game, the Bearcats got the scoring started late in the first period as freshman defender Cassidy Dion (Goodfish Lake, Alberta/Ashmost School) found the net at the 3:11 mark of the opening period to take a 1-0 lead. The goal by Dion was her seventh of the season.
 
The Lions, though, would score three unanswered goals in the second period to take a 3-1 lead in the match, including Madison Teague scoring on a power play goal at the 11:16 mark.
 
Lindenwood would extend its lead by adding two more goals in the third period, including a power play by Ardyn Hawkryshko at the 15:07 mark left in the game.
 
The Lions recorded five shots on goal to McKendree's lone shot on goal in Wednesday's game.
 
Senior Naomi Leasck (St. Louis, Mo./Lindbergh) played all 60 minutes in goal for the Bearcats and allowed five goals, while Emily McDonald played all 60 minutes in net to Lindenwood.