ST. LOUIS, MO. – The Minot State women's hockey team split two games at the WMCH conference tournament in St. Louis this weekend. The Beavers squared off against Lindenwood in the first round and, after beating the Lions 4-1, fell to the Flames Liberty University in overtime.
 
GAME 1
Minot State controlled the offensive and defensive ends of the ice in their first game of the tournament. The Beavers scored early and often with two first-period goals. Megan Norris netted the first with an assist from Haley Wickham. Team Captain Sami Jo Henry scored again later in the period to bring the score to 2-0. Ensley Fendelet and Jessica Walker recorded assists on the last score.
 
MSU continued their aggressive offensive play in the second period when Alisha O'Hara assisted Story Navrot to extend the Beaver advantage. Lindenwood also got on the board in the second when Mackenzie struck unassisted.
 
Heading into the final period with a 3-1 lead, Henry delivered the final blow after another Wickham assist to reach the final score of 4-1.
 
Jordan Ivanco had a remarkable performance to lead the Minot State defense. The sophomore goalie recorded 23 saves on 24 shots.
 
Lindenwood goalie Emily McDonald did allow the four MSU scores, but she also saves 31 other attempts.
 
GAME 2
Minot state squared off against conference juggernaut Liberty in the next round of the bracket. The Beavers and Flames played a defensive battle which saw a dramatic finish in overtime.
 
After playing through a scoreless first period, Minot State jumped in front in the second when Megan Norris sent one past the goalie after an Aspen Cooper assist.
 
Then, the scoring paused until the third period when Liberty evened the tally at 1-1. Alexandra Smibert scored the Flames' goal with the help of assists from Shelby Bradford and Vanessa Demerchant.
 
The drama built towards an overtime period which was, like the regulation periods, was led by both defenses. After trading empty attacks, Yannick Truter came through for Liberty and scored the game-winning goal.
 
Amanda Storey saved 27 shots for Liberty while allowing just the one goal.
 
For the Beavers, Jordan Ivanco was active in net with 41 total saves and two goals allowed.
 
 The Beavers will be back on the ice for a home-and-home series with Dakota College at Bottineau. The first game of that series is set for Friday, April 2 at 7 p.m. in Bottineau with the next contest scheduled for Saturday, April 3 at 4 p.m. in Minot.
 
The back-to-back with DCB will serve as a tune-up set prior to the ACHA National Tournament in Minot, N.D. from April 15 to April 20.