O'FALLON, Ill. – Third-ranked McKendree University women's Hockey (15-7-1, 8-4-1 WMCH). The Bearcats faced off against the top-ranked Liberty and fifth-ranked Minot State in back-to-back days last week at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex.
Thursday, January 22 | vs. Liberty | L, 3-1
In the first period, No. 3 McKendree held the No.1 Flames scoreless off the eight shots they got on net. However, they turned up the heat in the second, netting two goals off 11 shots, and one of the goals coming off a late powerplay towards the end of the period. In the third, junior forward Julia Koski was able to score off a rebounded shot by sophomore forward Alexandra Binning, off a pass from freshman defense Hazel Toepfer.
Senior goaltender Rachel Staresinic faced 40 shot attempts and earned 37 total saves in the game.
GOALS
P3 | #40 Julia Koski (4) via #28 Alexandra Binning (9), via #55 Hazel Toepfer (8)
Friday, January 23 | vs. Minot State | T, 3-3
The second game would be an action-packed and physical game between the two sides as there were seven total penalties and six total goals. Freshman forward Oliva Imperato got the scoring started with a breakaway goal. She was assisted by Binning and senior defense Julia Defosse. Minot State kept pace, leveling the score two minutes later. Senior forward Jayna Barnden scored the lone Bearcat goal in the second; she was assisted by freshman defense Addison Uhrig. The Beavers got the next two goals, taking a 3-2 lead in the third period. Barnden would once again find the net halfway through the third; she was assisted by sophomore forward Kendra Shumaker and junior forward Abigail Jeffers. After a scoreless overtime period, the game would end in a tie.
Staresinic finished the game with 24 saves off 27 total shots.
GOALS
P1 | #13 Olivia Imperato (8) via #28 Alexandra Binning (10), #91 Julia Defosse (5)
P2 | #15 Jayna Barnden (8) via #95 Addison Uhrig (2)
P3 | #15 Jayna Barnden (9) via #3 Abigail Jeffers (9) via #21 Kendra Shumaker (5)
UP NEXT
Jan. 30th | @ Maryville 5:15 p.m. Maryville Hockey Center
Jan. 31st | vs. Maryville 8:00 p.m. McKendree Metro Rec Plex
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