MINOT, N.D. – The Minot State women's hockey team gave their coach a treat Saturday afternoon in the form of a big career milestone.
Scoring twice in 38 seconds to grab a 3-1 lead, the Beavers held on and topped visiting Concordia College 3-2 at the Maysa Arena on the day before Halloween, giving coach
Ryan Miner career victory number 100 as the leader of the Beaver women's hockey program.
"Ryan started his journey two years prior to mine with Minot State woman's hockey and he has done absolutely everything in his power to see it grow and succeed," Beavers assistant coach Tony Swearingen said. "I am proud to say that I've been here as his assistant coach for 47 of his 100 wins over my two-plus years. The community should be proud of what he has done for this program as well.
"I know that Ryan, his family, his co-workers, and friends are proud of 100 wins, but he is the type of coach that isn't satisfied with individual accomplishments and I think he will only be able to look back at this if the program can bring a conference and national title back to Minot."
Saturday the Beavers (7-2-0 overall) brought home the win thanks to a strong offensive first period, then a stingy defensive effort the rest of the way.
Jessica Walker scored with 5 minutes, 3 seconds gone in the game to put Minot State in front, and after the Cobbers – an NCAA Division III foe – evened the score 1:57 later, it stayed knotted 1-1 until 6:11 remained in the opening stanza.
That's when
Story Navrot scored off assists from
Maiya Aschberg and
Mackenzie Heide, then just 38 seconds later
Riley Ball scored off assists from
Paige Ackerman and
Haley Wickham for a 3-1 lead.
Just enough, it turned out, as the Cobbers got a goal back midway through the second period, but no more as
Jordan Ivanco made 21 saves on 23 Concordia shots.
"The team played amazing," Swearingen added. "Systematic and calmly did the job that we asked them to do. As a coaching staff we are extremely proud of our team and their accomplishments this weekend."
Minot State finished outshooting the Cobbers, 34-23, on the night.
The Minot State women's hockey team begins working on the next 100 wins for Coach Miner when they return to the ice in two weeks to host the University of Minnesota on Nov. 13 and 14 at the Maysa Arena.
