MINOT, ND – The Minot State women's hockey team battled Sault College to a 1-1 tie before winning the shootout 2-1 on Saturday evening to close out the weekend series. The Beavers move to 3-0-1 overall on the season, finishing the two-game series with a 1-0-1 record. 

Sault College opened the scoring with a power-play goal just 6 minutes, 11 seconds into the first period. The Cougars held their 1-0 lead through the end of the first period and into the second intermission. 

Neither team found the back of the net in the second period, leaving the Beavers with a one-goal deficit heading into the final period. 

With 5 minutes, 15 seconds remaining in the third period, Olivia Kirwan capitalized on a power play to tie the game at 1-1, assisted by Abby Pineau as Minot State made it even. Neither team scored again during regulation, sending the game into overtime. 

Neither team scored in overtime, sending the contest to a shootout. Minot State and Sault College traded attempts, with Paige Crossley finding the back of the net on the Beavers' second round attempt. Goaltender Jillian Ackerman stopped all three Sault College attempts, allowing the Beavers to secure the shootout victory. 

Under ACHA women's hockey rules, a shootout victory is officially recorded as a tie. Despite the official 1-1 result, the Beavers finished with an unofficial win, 2-1 in the shootout. 

Ackerman finished the game with 22 saves on 23 shots, including three crucial stops during overtime and a perfect performance in the shootout. 

The Beavers hit the road next weekend for a two-game series against Midland University in Nebraska. The teams will meet Friday, October 23, at 5 p.m., before wrapping up the series on Saturday, October 24, at 4 p.m.