MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. – The Bearcats were looking for a spot in the National Tournament Semifinals on Friday, March 15th as they battled the 4th- ranked Minot State University Beavers. The Beavers would end the Bearcats season in the quarterfinals two and a half minutes into the first overtime period by the score of 2-1.
After an evenly match first period where McKendree held the advantage in shots at 10-7, the game would remain scoreless. In the second period, the Beavers would strike first four minutes in as Olivia Opheim found the back of the net with the assist from Abby Tallman.
As regulation was approaching the end, McKendree netted the equalizer with Kiley Hasenfratz scoring on the power play at the 18:14 mark with the assists coming from Kerstyn Barron and Abigail Jeffers.
Unfortunately, the Beavers collected the game winning goal just two and a half minutes into the extra stanza on the goal from Gillian Gervin while Anna German picked up the assist.
Rachel Staresinic stopped 24 of the 26 Beaver shots in 62 minutes of action.
McKendree ends the season with a record of 17-11-2 (6-8-2 MCH) and qualified for the national tournament for the sixth consecutive season. The 17 wins sets a new program high for wins in the eight year history of the program.
