MINOT, N.D. – The Minot State women find themselves back on the road for one of their biggest road-trips of the season.

The Beaver women's hockey team heads to Michigan to battle No. 2-ranked Adrian for a pair of games on Thursday and Friday, then continues the road swing with games at Michigan-Dearborn on Saturday and Sunday.

"This is a key weekend for the program," head coach Ryan Miner said. "Facing two non-conference teams that are both ranked in the top 15 in our division; not only will they be competitive games but an opportunity to move up in the rankings."

The latest ACHA Division I poll was released earlier this week, and despite a pair of lopsided wins over Women's Midwest College Hockey foe the University of Minnesota, the Beavers slipped one spot in the rankings to No. 6.

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Defending national champion Liberty (Va.) remained the No. 1 team in the country followed by Adrian, which beat Minot State in a neutral-ice game, 3-1, back in October in Nebraska.

So along with being a big weekend and a chance to climb in the national poll, the next two games provide a chance at some revenge for the Beavers (9-2-0 overall), as well.

Here is a look at this weekend's games:
STEADY IMPROVEMENT FOR MINOT STATE: The Beavers have rattled off four straight wins since that close setback to Adrian in mid-October, handing Coach Miner career win No. 100, scoring the program's first victories over an NCAA foe with a 1-0 overtime then 3-2 win over Concordia College, then rolling to lopsided 8-0 and 9-1 wins over Minnesota.

Balance has been key for the Beavers during their current four-game win streak as 14 different players have accounted for those 21 goals led by Riley Ball who has four goals in the streak, while Jessica Walker has three goals, and Makena Welby has scored twice.

In goal, Jordan Ivanco has posted a pair of shutouts and three wins, while Haylie Biever has also added a victory between the pipes for Minot State.

"As a team we have focused on those second-chance efforts and crashing the net, something we struggled with in the beginning of the year," Miner said. "At the same time, we have tightened up in our own end and are doing a much better job at making smarter plays."

SCOUTING ADRIAN: In the two teams' first meeting, a pair of power-play goals helped lift Adrian to the 3-1 victory as Nicole Thomas, Neleh Wood, and Kaitlyn McNair each scored for the Bulldogs (10-2-1) who also got 24 saves from Halle Faulkner.

"I think both us and Adrian are evenly matched, but the bounces weren't in our favor that first game," Miner said. "We have improved since then and if we can stick to our game plan, it will be some good hockey!"

Since that game, the Bulldogs have gone 5-1-1 with a 4-2 loss to No. 1-ranked Liberty and a 5-4 setback, in overtime to the top-ranked Flames, as well.

Faulkner has gotten the bulk of the work in goal and is 5-1-1 with three shutouts for the Bulldogs, who have six shutouts as a team.

Huntyr Bosher and Bria Fewchuk – who did not score against the Beavers - lead the offense. Bosher has seven goals and four assists for Adrian, and Fewchuk has six goals and five assists while Wood also had six goals and five assists, Thomas has five goals and five assists, and Leah Williams has four goals and 10 assists.

SCOUTING MICHIGAN-DEARBORN: The Wolverines (3-3-1) come into the weekend with a pair of wins in their most recent action and will play Friday night before Minot State rolls into town.

Brooke Spiegel has six goals to lead the way for Michigan-Dearborn, which is not as prolific offensively as the Beavers or Adrian. Teammate Odisoula Argyrius has four goals and an assist, while Kaylee Keledjian and Cassidy Waugh also have two goals and an assist, each.

In goal, Victoria Hahn leads the way with a 2-2-0 overall record that includes a shutout for Michigan-Dearborn, which has faced one similar foe as Minot State having fallen 10-1 to in-state rival Adrian in mid-October.