MINOT, N.D. – It ended up being a bit of a sour start to "Senior Weekend" for the Minot State women's hockey team.

Midland's Hannah Stone made 35 saves in goal, leading the way for the visiting Warriors who held off a fierce third-period comeback to top No. 2-ranked Minot State, 3-2 at Maysa Arena on Friday in the first of two games this weekend between the teams.

The teams play again Saturday at 4 p.m. in the regular season finale for both and it will be "Senior Day" for the Beavers who will celebrate the playing careers of seniors Lauren Blight, Haley Wickham, and Mackenzie Heide between the second and third periods.

Friday, the fifth-ranked Warriors got to celebrate as Jenna Grosdidier scored late in the first period, then Madison Miller scored in the second period, giving Midland (15-6-1 overall) a 2-0 lead.

But the Beavers didn't go quietly as Krissy Rink scored with 8 minutes, 29 seconds gone in the third period off assists from Anna German and Mia Mckee, cutting the difference to 2-1.

Unfortunately, the Warriors answered 3 minutes later with a Kayla Flanigan goal that forced Minot State (23-5-0) to continue to fight to get back even.

And fight the Beavers did, pulling their goalie Jordan Ivanco (30 saves) late, and it paid off as Wickham scored with 1:04 remaining off assists from Riley Ball and Ensley Fendelet, giving Minot State hope down 3-2.

Pulling their goalie again, the Beavers kept pushing late but couldn't find the game-tying goal, though, settling for the setback.