MINOT, N.D.- The much-anticipated return to the ice proved successful for the Minot State women's hockey team over the weekend as the Beavers scored a pair of wins and now look to build on that momentum with their first road-trip of the season.

Heading to Colorado for the first two in two years, the Beavers take on the University of Colorado on Friday and Saturday, then wrap-up the three-game weekend playing at Colorado State University on Sunday morning.

"We are excited to hit the road this weekend to face two division opponents that we have not seen in a few years," Minot State head coach Ryan Miner said. "Getting two wins at home last weekend was the first step, and now we have a new test of winning games on the road. It will be a challenge, especially considering location with the time change and altitude, but one that we will be prepared for come Friday."

Last time out: After spotting visiting Midland a one-goal lead, the Beavers battled back with two goals in 45 seconds in their season opener for a 2-1 victory on Friday. Riley Ball and Mia Mckee each scored in the win while Haylie Biever made 32 saves, backstopping Minot State to the win.

Saturday, the Beavers started fast then hung on as Ball scored her second of the season, and Anna German and Megan Norris also added a goal each for a 3-0 lead before Midland score a pair of late goals in the 3-2 contest. Jordan Ivanco got the nod in goal and stopped 25 of the 27 shots she faced for the win.

Leading the way: Balance proved key for Minot State during its season-opening, two-game sweep of Midland as German had a goal and two assists, and Ball scored twice, leading the way while Mckee and Norris each added a goal, and Maiya Aschberg and Story Navrot also had an assist each as six different players contributed on the team's five goals.

In net, the Beavers got equally stellar performances from Biever, who has a .970 save percentage, and Ivanco, who has a .926 save percentage, after one game each.

"The goal is to go into every game prepared to battle for a full 60 minutes," Miner said, looking ahead to the upcoming weekend. "We saw some strong moments last weekend but have to have the mentality of playing a complete game. We saw what our team can do physically and speed-wise and have to have that same style going into this weekend."

Scouting Colorado: The Buffaloes opened their 2021-22 season hosting Air Force on Friday, but no score was reported. Colorado and Minot State last played head-to-head in the fall and winter of 2019, playing two games in Colorado and two in North Dakota with the Beavers winning 3-of-4, including a split of the two games on the CU campus.

Scouting Colorado State: The Rams opened their season last weekend, as well, playing a home-and-home series with the University of Denver. While the first game, at Denver, was not reported, Saturday night in Fort Collins, Colo., the Rams dominated with a 9-5 win. Madalyn Guertin led the way with a hat trick (3 goals) and an assist in that win for CSU, while Emily Jaques scored twice.

Looking Ahead: While the focus will be on the next game all weekend long, the Beavers no doubt can't help but look ahead to their next homestand, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 16-17, as it will be a big rivalry weekend against visiting Lindenwood University. Lindenwood and Minot State last faced off in the ACHA National Semifinals in April with the Lions ending the Beavers season a win shy of the championship game.

Puck drops in the rivalry match-up at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday as the women's game opens a Minot State hockey doubleheader. The Beaver men's team hosts Liberty at 7:30 p.m. Saturday night. Sunday, the Minot State women host Lindenwood in a matinee with puck-drop at 1 p.m.