MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO. – It was not the finish they were hoping for, but the road to get there was certainly not easy. The Minot State women's hockey team hit the ice for one last time this season in their second-straight appearance in the ACHA National Championship. In a matinee start time, they were tasked with getting past 3^rd-seeded Adrian College.

Ultimately, it just was not there for the Beavers as the gas tank emptied in a defeat at the hands of the Adrian Bulldogs. Minot State falls in the National Championship by a final score of 4-1.

Period one did not go the Beavers way despite being scoreless through the first 16 minutes. That was until Adrian scored to go up 1-0 at 16:17, which they carried going into the locker room.

The second period was a better turnout for the Beavers, as Minot got going with a power-play goal. An opportunity that is so critical at this time of the season. They sat tied through two periods at one goal apiece with the next goal being a huge one.

In the third period, things started to slip away for Minot State as Adrian dug at a loose puck in the crease and was able to put it into the open cage to sway all momentum. That goal came just 35 seconds in, setting up a huge boost on the Bulldogs bench. Not even four minutes later, Adrian would score again on a beautiful move past one Beaver defender and a clean shot over the shoulder to go up 3-1.

Late in the third, the Beavers gambled on an empty net to bring in the extra attacker. It did not pay off as Adrian was able to gain possession and deposit into the open cage to solidify the 4-1 final score.

Riley Ball was the lone goal scorer for the Beavers at 13:11 of the second period.

Haylie Biever did all she could following an incredible overall performance at the tournament. She held on for 32 saves on 35 total shots from Adrian.

Adrian College wins the 2024 ACHA National Championship as Minot State drops their eighth overall contest to the Bulldogs under MSU Athletics affiliation.

And that is all she wrote for the 2023-24 Minot State women's hockey season. Stick taps go out to all the Seniors who played in their final game with the program. Best of luck to all moving on in the next chapter. Be on the lookout for the 2024-25 schedule to be announced in the coming months.