BELOIT, WI – The Beloit College women's ice hockey team faced a tough task tonight putting together a spirited effort against a tough UW-Stevens Point squad, ultimately falling 3-0 in a hard-fought contest at Woodman's Sports & Convention Center.
The undisputed star of the night for the Buccaneers (1-3-0, 0-0-0 WIAC) was freshman goaltender Madison Bliss (Fort Frances, Ontario). Facing an onslaught of shots from the Pointers (4-1-0, 0-0-0 WIAC), Bliss delivered a phenomenal performance, making an impressive 49 saves on 52 shots. Her remarkable efforts included turning away 16 shots in the first period, 19 in the second, and 14 in the third. Bliss's ability to stand tall under pressure kept the Buccaneers in the game and provided a solid foundation for their defensive unit.
The game remained scoreless through the first period, largely due to Bliss's heroics and Beloit's disciplined defensive play. While UW-Stevens Point dominated in shots, outshooting Beloit 16-5 in the first, the Buccaneers held their ground.
The momentum shifted early in the second period when UW-Stevens Point's Riley Novak opened the scoring at 09:08, assisted by Amanda Pouchnik and Molly Pohlkamp. This goal, while breaking the deadlock, didn't deter Beloit. The Buccaneers continued to absorb pressure, with players like Hannah Chady (Janesville, Wis. ) stepping up with crucial shot blocks. Chady's defensive presence was notable, particularly a block against a shot from UW-Stevens Point's Alyssa Yokom in the first period and another against Addison Novack in the second.
Beloit's penalty kill unit was tested in the second period when Avery Sinclair (Fort Frances, Ontario) was called for slashing at 17:33. Despite being shorthanded, the Buccaneers successfully fended off UW-Stevens Point's power play, denying them any scoring opportunities.
While the defensive effort was commendable, Beloit struggled to generate consistent offensive threats throughout the game. They managed 15 shots on goal compared to UW-Stevens Point's 52. However, players like Kylie Schryer (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario) and Rachel Fussy (Mahtomedi, Minn.), both playing significant minutes, contributed to the limited offensive pushes. Schryer, in particular, was active in faceoffs, winning 8 throughout the game.
UWSP added two more goals in the third period. Novak scored her second of the night at 04:46, again assisted by Natalie Ahern and Alyssa Yokom, and Molly Pohlkamp sealed the victory at 18:11 with assists from Ahern and Yokom.
The Buccaneers return to action at the Woodman's Center on Friday night, when they host UW-Eau Claire. Puck drop is set for 7:10 pm.
