DUBUQUE, Iowa – Despite a stellar defensive effort anchored by goaltender Janelle Quast (Litchfield, Minn.) and several bursts of offensive momentum, the Beloit College women's ice hockey team fell 2-0 to Aurora University this afternoon at ImOn Arena.
The Buccaneers (1-7-0, 0-2-0, WIAC) put up a resilient fight, particularly on the defensive end, but were unable to solve Aurora netminder Macy Blooming, who stopped all 14 shots she faced.
The standout performance for the Buccaneers came from Quast. Under constant pressure, Quast kept the Buccaneers within striking distance all afternoon, recording 26 saves on 28 shots.
Her performance was most critical in the third period, where she faced a barrage of 14 shots from the Spartans and turned away every single one. This shutout effort in the final frame gave Beloit a fighting chance down the stretch, keeping the deficit at just two goals despite being outshot 28-14 overall.
Beloit's best chance to seize control came midway through the first period. Trailing 1-0 after an early Aurora goal, the Buccaneers went on the power play at the 8:14 mark following a tripping penalty.
Beloit's special teams unit generated significant pressure during the man advantage. Natalie Gurr (Okotoks, Alberta, Canada), Makenzee Kostiuk (Thunder Bay, Ontario), and Madi Hoffman (Madison, Wis.) all fired shots on goal within a two-minute span, but Aurora's defense held firm. The inability to convert on this power play—Beloit's only man-advantage opportunity of the game—proved to be a turning point, preventing an early equalizer.
The game remained a tight 1-0 contest deep into the second period due to Beloit's disciplined play. However, momentum swung definitively toward Aurora late in the frame. Following a tripping penalty called on Gurr at 17:06, Aurora capitalized on their power play. The Spartans found the back of the net less than a minute later at 17:55, doubling the Spartan lead just before the second intermission.
While the Buccaneers were kept off the scoreboard, several players worked hard to generate offense. Kostiuk was the most active threat for Beloit, leading the team with 4 shots on goal. Julia Fussy (Mahtomedi, Minn.), Addison Gruhlke (Eau Claire, Wis.), Kennedy Gruhlke (Eau Claire, Wis.), and Fianne Makela (Duluth, MN) each contributed 2 shots, trying to spark the attack. In the faceoff circle, Kylie Schryer (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario) led the team with 6 wins, while Rachel Fussy (Mahtomedi, Minn.) added 5 wins, battling hard for possession against a strong Aurora center unit.
The Buccaneers will play in the consolation game tomorrow afternoon. They will face the loser of Dubuque and MSOE at 2 pm at ImOn Arena.
